Diego Velázquez (1599–1660) was one of the greatest Spanish Baroque painters, born in Seville. Trained by Francisco Pacheco, he stood out for his mastery of portraiture and subtle realism. At the age of 24, he was appointed court painter to Philip IV, for whom he produced numerous portraits and historical works. He traveled to Italy, where he studied great masters such as Michelangelo, Raphael and Tintoretto in depth. His masterpieces include The Surrender of Breda, Venus in the Mirror and Pope Innocent X, whose expressiveness influenced artists such as Francis Bacon. His absolute masterpiece, Las Meninas (1656), is a visual and philosophical enigma about art and representation, inspiring artists such as Picasso and Dalí. Velázquez is considered a precursor of modern art and a leading figure in Western painting.