Herrera, FRANCISCO

Herrera, FRANCISCO, surnamed EL VIEJO (the Elder), Spanish painter, was born in Seville in 1576. His drawing was correct, and his pictorial style is marked by energy, freedom, and boldness, and he became the founder of a school. Herrera's masterpiece was the 'Last Judgment,' in a church at Seville. Besides historical pieces, he also painted such subjects as wine-houses, fairs, carnivals, and the like; he was a clever worker also in bronze. In 1650 he removed to Madrid, and died there in 1656. Some of his best works are in the Louvre at Paris. —His youngest son, FRANCESCO HERRERA, surnamed EL MOZO (the Younger), was born at Seville in 1622. He studied under his father, but to escape his roughness and cruelty ran away to Rome, where he became celebrated for pictures of still life, especially for fish-pieces. Returning to Spain after his father's death, he at first settled in Seville, and was in 1660 appointed sub-director of the academy there; but he soon betook himself to Madrid, where he became painter to the king. His best works are a fresco, 'The Ascension,' in the Atocha church in Madrid, and 'San Francisco,' in Seville cathedral. Herrera died at Madrid in 1685.