ESTEBAN MÁRQUEZ DE VELASCO (Puebla de Guzmán, Huelva, 1652 - Seville, 1696), attributed.
"Santiago el Menor".
Oil on canvas.
Period frame.
Size: 103 x 82 cm; 110 x 88 cm (frame).
The apostle James the Less is represented with his characteristic attributes, the Holy Scriptures and a staff, in a recollected attitude before the open book. The painting is stylistically inscribed in the Andalusian baroque, being observed in it the handling of a strong chiaroscuro. The features have been modeled according to a naturalistic expression, in which Marquez de Velasco showed special mastery.
Esteban Márquez de Velasco was a Spanish painter, known mainly as a follower of Murillo, who trained in Seville with his uncle, the painter Fernando Márquez Joya, with whom he worked and learned until 1672. Although we do not have much information about his life, comparing the work that remains of the master we can appreciate a number of characteristics and facts: a great influence of Murillo, even taking outlines and figures in particular; his important workshop made an abundant production, partly also for export to America, hence the difference in quality between some works.
A series of signed and dated works are also known, but they are late: "Lactación de Santo Domingo" from the Parish of Santa María de Nieves de Fuentes de Andalucía in Seville, from 1693, "San Agustín y San José con el Niño" today in the Museum of Fine Arts of Seville, a series of the Life of Saint Francis of Assisi conserved in Guadalajara (Mexico), a series of the life of the Virgin of the convent of the Trinity of Seville, dispersed in several American museums after its sale at the beginning of the XIX century, etc.