I, Juan de Pareja
Encyclopedia
I, Juan de Pareja is a novel by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño
that won the Newbery Medal
for excellence in American
children's literature
in 1966
.
The novel is written in the first person as by the title character, Juan de Pareja
a half-African slave of the artist Diego Velázquez
, and model for one of Velázquez' most noted paintings, who earns his freedom through his own merits, artistic and otherwise.
Diego has a wife, Juana de Miranda, and two little girls, Francisca and Ignacia. However, Juan is not required to help his mistress and the two toddlers much. His main job is to help his master with his painting, like preparing the colours, washing the brushes, etc. However, Juan learns to paint as well, but since slaves in Spain are not allowed to practice any of the arts, his master cannot teach him how to.
Soon, two apprentices, Cristobal and Alvaro join the household to learn from Diego. Juan, whose opinions do not differ from his master and his family's, dislikes Cristobal, but finds Alvaro pleasant enough. However, Cristobal is a much better painter than Alvaro.
Some time later, Diego receives a message from the King of Spain, saying that he has been invited to paint His Majesty's portrait. Thus, he and his family are given permanent living quarters in the palace itself, so they move there, along with Juan and the two apperentices.
Slowly, the trust, friendliness between the two men the King and Diego, who are both quiet and able to relate to each other, grows to the point that the King comes in and out of the studio as he pleases, silently. Also described are the many years that he went to Italy.
Elizabeth Borton de Treviño
Mary Elizabeth Borton de Treviño was an American author.Elizabeth was born in Bakersfield, California, the daughter of attorney Fred Ellsworth Borton and Carrie Louise Christensen. Her family were all enthusiastic readers; Fred Borton had published short stories and poems before becoming a lawyer....
that won the Newbery Medal
Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...
for excellence in American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
children's literature
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
in 1966
1966 in literature
The year 1966 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*February 14 - Dissident writers Yuli Daniel and Andrei Sinyavsky are sentenced to hard labour for "anti-Soviet activity"....
.
The novel is written in the first person as by the title character, Juan de Pareja
Juan de Pareja
Juan de Pareja was a Spanish painter, born in Antequera, near Malaga, Spain. He is primarily known as a member of the household and workshop of painter Diego Velázquez. His 1661 work The Calling of St. Matthew is currently on display at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain...
a half-African slave of the artist Diego Velázquez
Diego Velázquez
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez was a Spanish painter who was the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV. He was an individualistic artist of the contemporary Baroque period, important as a portrait artist...
, and model for one of Velázquez' most noted paintings, who earns his freedom through his own merits, artistic and otherwise.
Plot
Juan de Pareja is an African-race slave born into slavery. His mother, Zulema, dies when he is five, and he does not know who his father is, so he is left orphaned. He serves his mother's master Basilio and mistress Emilia, but soon, both of them are killed by a plague. Juan is also affected by it, but he somehow survives and is brought to Madrid to his former mistress' nephew, Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez, who is quite a renowned painter. However, the man who brings him there is very cruel to Juan, but when they reach Diego's house, Diego dismisses the man, Don Carmelo, because of his harsh treatment to Juan, and this is the first sign to Juan that Diego is a nice man.Diego has a wife, Juana de Miranda, and two little girls, Francisca and Ignacia. However, Juan is not required to help his mistress and the two toddlers much. His main job is to help his master with his painting, like preparing the colours, washing the brushes, etc. However, Juan learns to paint as well, but since slaves in Spain are not allowed to practice any of the arts, his master cannot teach him how to.
Soon, two apprentices, Cristobal and Alvaro join the household to learn from Diego. Juan, whose opinions do not differ from his master and his family's, dislikes Cristobal, but finds Alvaro pleasant enough. However, Cristobal is a much better painter than Alvaro.
Some time later, Diego receives a message from the King of Spain, saying that he has been invited to paint His Majesty's portrait. Thus, he and his family are given permanent living quarters in the palace itself, so they move there, along with Juan and the two apperentices.
Slowly, the trust, friendliness between the two men the King and Diego, who are both quiet and able to relate to each other, grows to the point that the King comes in and out of the studio as he pleases, silently. Also described are the many years that he went to Italy.