Velázquez, Art and Power Velázquez, Art and Power
  • Seminci. Valladolid International Film Festival

  • Santo Domingo Global Film Festival

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Spanish with English subtitles

With Alfonso Guerra, Miguel Ángel Cajigal “El Barroquista”, Miguel Zorita, Alexandra del Bene, Luis Méndez, Javier Olivares, Álvaro Perdices

With stunning visuals of his masterpieces and insightful expert commentary, Velázquez, Art and Power reveals how art and politics intertwined in 17th-century Spain.

Directed by José Manuel Gómez Vidal, the documentary explores the fascinating life and career of Diego Velázquez, one of the greatest painters of the Spanish Golden Age. His journey took him from humble beginnings as the grandson of a hosier to his rise as court painter for King Philip IV of Spain.

Velázquez, Art and Power also highlights Velázquez’s dual role as artist and courtier. Velázquez used his exceptional talent to navigate the complexities of power, politics, and patronage at one of Europe’s most influential royal courts. His portraits not only immortalized the Spanish monarchy but also offered subtle critiques of power structures.

Ultimately, this documentary offers a compelling journey through the life of a visionary artist who redefined portraiture and left a lasting mark on Western art history.

Press

“The most unknown aspects of one of the geniuses of painting.”Canal Sur, Comunicación RTVA

“An analysis of the proximity to power of the painter of Las Meninas.” – Arturo Tena, Cine con Ñ

About the Director

José Manuel Gómez Vidal is a cultural manager, exhibitions curator, and film programmer. He has a degree in Art History from the University of Seville (1999), a master’s degree in Cultural Management from the University of Barcelona (1999-2000), and a master’s degree in International Cooperation (Seville, 2001 -2003).

Since 2011, he has been the director of the film division at the Spanish Agency for Culture promotion abroad, Acción Cultural Española (AC/E). Velázquez, Art and Power is his second film after Murillo’s Last Journey.