ZURBARAN, dsoor-bi-rin', Frandsco do Spanish painter: b. Fuente de Cantos. Estrum dura, 7 Nov. 1598; d. Seville, 1662. He was educated in the school of Juan de Roelas in Seville, and early formed his style on that of Caravaggio. He is thence frequently known as the Spanish Caravaggio. He first brought him self into notice by a series of pictures for the chapel of Saint Peter in the cathedral of Seville, illustrating the life of the titular apostle; and about 1625 he executed his cele brated picture of 'The Glory of Saint Thomas Aquinas' (Seville Museum), which is esteemed his masterpiece, and one of the finest works in Spain. Another famous series is his U pictures illustrative of the life of Saint Jerome pained for the monastery of Guadalupe. No less fa mous is his series of three pictures in the monas tery of Santa Maria dc los Cuevas, in Seville, which were produced on his return from Guada lupe. These pictures, which are now in the Seville Museum, represent the 'Virgin Extend ing her Mantel over a Group of Carthusian Monks' ; 'Saint Hugo Surprising the Monks at a Secret Feast in the Refectory' ; and 'Saint Bruno in Conversation with Pope Urban IL' His 'Crucifixion' (1527) in the church of San Pablo is a notable picture. As early as 1633
he signed himself painter to the king In 1650 he executed for the palace of Buen Retiro the 'Labors of Hercules' in 10 pictures, now in the Madrid Museum. From this time on be seems to have been a great favorite at the coati, though he continued to paint monks and dearth dignitaries with great spirit and faithfulness to truth, which have gained for him the position of one of the three greatest of Spanish painters. Though he painted several large compositions. be preferred small and simple ones, generally religions in subject. He especially made studies of the Spanish friar. His works are to be seen in some private collections, and in the galleries of Saint Petersburg. Pesth, Munich, Paris and London. Consult Bermudez, 'Diccionario de los mis ilustres profesotes' (1800) ; and 'Arlon, 'La peinture espagnole' (1894).