27 moments

1. Baptism at the Church of St. Peter

   1599-06-06 · Church of St. Peter, Seville, Spain

   Velázquez was baptized in the Sevillian church shortly after his birth. The date is his baptismal date; his exact birth date is not stated.

2. Apprenticeship with Francisco Pacheco

   1610-01-01 · Seville, Spain

   Velázquez began the apprenticeship that formed his artistic education in Seville. The contract was signed in 1611 but formally backdated to 10 December 1610.

3. First documented Madrid journey

   1622-04-01 · Madrid, Spain

   He travelled to Madrid with introductions to Don Juan de Fonseca, chaplain to the king.

4. Return to Seville

   1623-01-01 · Seville, Spain

   After his first Madrid visit, Velázquez returned to Seville and remained there until August. The month records the beginning of a stay lasting until August 1623.

5. Settlement at the Madrid court

   1624-01-01 · Madrid, Spain

   Royal support paid for moving his family to Madrid, which became his home for the rest of his life. The source dates the royal payment for the move to the year after 1623.

6. Visit to the Escorial with Rubens

   1628-09-01 · Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain

   During Peter Paul Rubens's diplomatic mission, Velázquez accompanied him to inspect the Titian paintings at the Escorial.

7. First Italian journey: Cento

   1629-01-01 · Cento, Papal States (now Italy)

   Velázquez visited Cento during his first Italian journey. The article does not provide a separate date for this stop.

8. First Italian journey: Ferrara

   1629-01-01 · Ferrara, Papal States (now Italy)

   Ferrara was among the documented destinations on Velázquez's first Italian journey. The article does not provide a separate date for this stop.

9. First Italian journey: Venice

   1629-01-01 · Venice, Republic of Venice (now Italy)

   Velázquez travelled through Venice during his first authorized Italian journey. The article places the first Italian journey in 1629–1631 but does not date each stop more precisely.

10. First Italian journey: Bologna

    1630-01-01 · Bologna, Papal States (now Italy)

    Velázquez travelled to Bologna on his first journey in Italy. The itinerary is dated broadly; this stop is assigned to 1630 with moderate confidence.

11. First Italian journey: Loreto

    1630-01-01 · Loreto, Papal States (now Italy)

    Loreto was one of the documented destinations on Velázquez's first Italian journey. The itinerary is dated broadly; this stop is assigned to 1630 with moderate confidence.

12. First Italian journey: Naples

    1630-01-01 · Naples, Kingdom of Naples (now Italy)

    

    Velázquez visited Naples to paint a portrait of Maria Anna of Spain.

13. First Roman stay

    1630-01-01 · Rome, Papal States (now Italy)

    

    Velázquez was in Rome during the first Italian journey, a period associated with major history paintings. The article dates his Naples visit to 1630 and his Madrid return to January 1631; Rome is dated to 1630 by the associated journey chronology.

14. Return from Italy to Madrid

    1631-01-01 · Madrid, Spain

    

    Velázquez returned to the Madrid court after his first Italian journey.

15. Royal progress to Fraga

    1644-01-01 · Fraga, Aragon, Spain

    

    In close attendance on Philip IV, Velázquez accompanied the king to Aragon and painted him at Fraga while the monarch reviewed troops.

16. Second Italian journey: departure from Málaga

    1649-01-01 · Málaga, Spain

    Velázquez began his second Italian mission from Málaga, accompanied by Juan de Pareja.

17. Second Italian journey: Genoa landing

    1649-01-01 · Genoa, Republic of Genoa (now Italy)

    After departing Málaga, Velázquez landed at Genoa on his purchasing mission for the royal collection.

18. Second Italian journey: Milan

    1649-01-01 · Milan, Duchy of Milan (now Italy)

    Velázquez proceeded through Milan on his way toward Venice during the second Italian journey.

19. Second Italian journey: Modena

    1649-01-01 · Modena, Duchy of Modena and Reggio (now Italy)

    

    At Modena, Velázquez was favorably received by the duke and painted the duke's portrait.

20. Second Italian journey: Venice

    1649-01-01 · Venice, Republic of Venice (now Italy)

    Velázquez reached Venice and bought works associated with Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese.

21. Portrait of Juan de Pareja in Rome

    1650-01-01 · Rome, Papal States (now Italy)

    

    Velázquez painted a portrait of Juan de Pareja in Rome, work that led to his election to the Accademia di San Luca.

22. Portrait of Pope Innocent X in Rome

    1650-01-01 · Rome, Papal States (now Italy)

    

    During his second Roman stay, Velázquez painted the celebrated portrait of Pope Innocent X.

23. Return journey: Naples

    1651-01-01 · Naples, Kingdom of Naples (now Italy)

    On his return from Italy, Velázquez visited Naples and saw his old friend José Ribera. The source dates the return to Spain via Barcelona to 1651; it does not separately date the Naples visit.

24. Return journey: Venice

    1651-01-01 · Venice, Republic of Venice (now Italy)

    Velázquez visited Venice again while returning to Spain from the second Italian journey. The source dates the return to Spain via Barcelona to 1651; it does not separately date the Venice visit.

25. Return to Spain via Barcelona

    1651-01-01 · Barcelona, Spain

    Velázquez returned to Spain through Barcelona, transporting pictures and statuary acquired for the king.

26. Return to Madrid after Island of Pheasants duties

    1660-06-26 · Madrid, Spain

    

    After arranging the Spanish pavilion and scenic display for the Franco-Spanish marriage ceremony, Velázquez returned to Madrid.

27. Death in Madrid

    1660-08-06 · Madrid, Spain

    

    Velázquez died in Madrid after falling ill shortly after his return from the 1660 court ceremony. The place and date are stated in the article's biographical summary.