Juan de Pareja: From Velázquez's Slave to Recognized Painter

Juan de Pareja, born in southern Spain of African or Morisco descent, served as Diego Velázquez's slave for over two decades. Most knowledge of him comes from Antonio Palomino's 'El Parnaso español, pintoresco y laureado' (1715-1724). Initially, Pareja helped grind colors and prepare canvases, secretly painting on his own. During a royal visit, King Philip IV discovered one of Pareja's paintings and ordered Velázquez to free him, declaring that 'who has this skill cannot be a slave.' On November 23, 1650, Velázquez granted Pareja a letter of freedom, effective four years later. Pareja then pursued his own painting career, focusing on religious works and portraits, showing his master's influence. His portrait of architect José Ratés Dalmás (1660-1670), now in the Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia, closely resembles Velázquez's style, while his religious paintings are more Baroque. Velázquez's portrait of Juan de Pareja, painted in 1650 during his second Italian trip, was exhibited at the Pantheon in Rome, where it impressed artists like Andrés Smidt. The painting remained in Rome until the 18th century, later entering British collections, and was auctioned at Christie's in 1970 for $5 million, acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it remains today.