Antonio González Velázquez, I (1723 – 1793): The Painter of Light and Shadow Antonio González Velázquez was a Spanish Baroque painter born in Madrid into a family steeped in artistic tradition. His father, Pablo González Velázquez, and brothers were all accomplished painters, fostering an environment that nurtured his innate talent from a young age. Recognizing his potential, the Real Academia de Bellas Artes awarded him a scholarship to study in Rome in 1747, where he honed his skills under the tutelage of Corrado Giaquinto – a formative experience that cemented his stylistic vision. Ea…