Juan de las Roelas
Encyclopedia
Juan de las Roelas was a Spanish
painter of the late-Renaissance
and early-Baroque
, active in Seville
.
origin. He was born at Seville
between the years 1658 and 1660, and was brought up to the profession of physic, in which he had already taken a degree, when an inclination for the art of painting, which he had manifested in the early part of his life, induced him to devote himself to its study, and he travelled to Italy for the purpose of improvement. He went to Venice, where he studied for some years. Palomino says that he was a scholar of Titian
, but as Titian died in 1576, when Roelas was only sixteen years of age, it is more probable that he received his instruction from a disciple of that great master.
On his return to Seville, he was much employed in the churches of that city, where there are many pictures by hina, which have been compared to the works of Palma
and Tintoretto
. To rich and harmonious colouring, which he had acquired in the Venetian School
, he added correct drawing and perfect acquaintance with the anatomy of the human figure. One of his most admired works is the 'Martyrdom of St. Andrew,' in the College of St. Thomas. He went as a canon to Olivares in 1624, but whether he ever practised as a physician is not stated.
His pictures are very numerous in Seville. His masterpiece is the 'Death of St. Isidore,' in the church of San Isidore; another fine picture by him is the 'St. James,' in the chapel of that saint in the cathedral
, in which the saint is represented riding over the Moors
. Cean Bermudez
says it is full of fire, majesty, and decorum. Ford
, however, says that it is surpassed by the picture of the 'Conception,' in the Academy
, and by three in the chapel of the University at Seville
. Roelas has been compared with Tintoretto and Carracci
, and is certainly the best of the Andalusia
n painters. It is a subject of regret that none of his fine works have been engraved, as he excelled in design and composition, and displayed a grandeur of form and character which belong only to the greatest masters. He died at Olivares in 1625.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
painter of the late-Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
and early-Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
, active in Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
.
Biography
Juan de las Roelas, called El Clerigo Roelas and El Licenciado Juan, and by Palomino Doctor Pablo, was descended from a noble family, of FlemishFlanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
origin. He was born at Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
between the years 1658 and 1660, and was brought up to the profession of physic, in which he had already taken a degree, when an inclination for the art of painting, which he had manifested in the early part of his life, induced him to devote himself to its study, and he travelled to Italy for the purpose of improvement. He went to Venice, where he studied for some years. Palomino says that he was a scholar of Titian
Titian
Tiziano Vecelli or Tiziano Vecellio Tiziano Vecelli or Tiziano Vecellio Tiziano Vecelli or Tiziano Vecellio (c. 1488/1490 – 27 August 1576 better known as Titian was an Italian painter, the most important member of the 16th-century Venetian school. He was born in Pieve di Cadore, near...
, but as Titian died in 1576, when Roelas was only sixteen years of age, it is more probable that he received his instruction from a disciple of that great master.
On his return to Seville, he was much employed in the churches of that city, where there are many pictures by hina, which have been compared to the works of Palma
Palma Giovane
Iacopo Nigreti , best known as Jacopo Palma il Giovane or simply Palma Giovane was an Italian Mannerist painter from Venice. After Tintoretto's death , Palma became Venice's dominant artist perpetuating his style...
and Tintoretto
Tintoretto
Tintoretto , real name Jacopo Comin, was a Venetian painter and a notable exponent of the Renaissance school. For his phenomenal energy in painting he was termed Il Furioso...
. To rich and harmonious colouring, which he had acquired in the Venetian School
Venetian school (art)
-Context:In the 15th century Venetian painting developed through influences from the Paduan School and Antonello da Messina, who introduced the oil painting technique of Early Netherlandish painting. It is typified by a warm colour scale and a picturesque use of colour...
, he added correct drawing and perfect acquaintance with the anatomy of the human figure. One of his most admired works is the 'Martyrdom of St. Andrew,' in the College of St. Thomas. He went as a canon to Olivares in 1624, but whether he ever practised as a physician is not stated.
His pictures are very numerous in Seville. His masterpiece is the 'Death of St. Isidore,' in the church of San Isidore; another fine picture by him is the 'St. James,' in the chapel of that saint in the cathedral
Seville Cathedral
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See , better known as Seville Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville . It is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church in the world....
, in which the saint is represented riding over the Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
. Cean Bermudez
Juan Agustín Ceán Bermúdez
Juan Agustín Ceán Bermúdez was a Spanish writer on art.Bermúdez was born in Gijón, Asturias. Also in relation to Clara M. Bermudez of the Miami Bermudezs. He founded an art academy at Seville, and was given responsibility to order the Archivo General de Indias or the repository of documents...
says it is full of fire, majesty, and decorum. Ford
Richard Ford (writer)
Richard Ford was an English writer. He graduated at Trinity College, Oxford, in 1817, and was afterward called to the bar, but never practiced. He spent four years traveling in Spain and in 1845 published his delightful Handbook for Travellers in Spain, in two volumes...
, however, says that it is surpassed by the picture of the 'Conception,' in the Academy
Academia de Bellas Artes (Seville)
The Academia de Bellas Artes or Academy of Fine Arts of Seville was an institution for the instruction of students into the diverse arts. It was founded on January 1, 1660, upon the encouragement of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, its first president...
, and by three in the chapel of the University at Seville
University of Seville
The Universidad de Sevilla or University of Seville, in English, is a top-ranked European university in Seville, Spain. Founded under the name of Colegio Santa María de Jesús in 1505, the University of Seville, with a student body of over 50,000, is one of the top-ranked universities in the country...
. Roelas has been compared with Tintoretto and Carracci
Annibale Carracci
Annibale Carracci was an Italian Baroque painter.-Early career:Annibale Carracci was born in Bologna, and in all likelihood first apprenticed within his family...
, and is certainly the best of the Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
n painters. It is a subject of regret that none of his fine works have been engraved, as he excelled in design and composition, and displayed a grandeur of form and character which belong only to the greatest masters. He died at Olivares in 1625.