Diego Velázquez

Diego Velázquez self-portrait c. 1650, oil on canvas

Birth Name: Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez

Date of Birth: baptized June 6, 1599

Place of Birth: Seville, Andalucia, Spain

Date of Death: August 6, 1660

Place of Death: Madrid, Spain

Ethnicity: Portuguese, Spanish [Andalusian], possibly Sephardi Jewish

Diego Velázquez was a Spanish painter. He was the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV, and one of the most important painters of the Spanish Golden Age.

Diego was the son of Jerónima Velázquez, de Buenrostro, and João Rodrigues da Silva. His paternal grandparents were from Oporto, Portugal. His maternal grandparents were from Seville, Andalusia. He was married to Juana Pacheco, until his death. The couple had two children.

Diego’s paternal grandfather was named Diogo da Silva.

Diego’s paternal grandmother was named Maria Rodrigues.

Diego’s maternal grandfather was named Juan Velázquez Moreno.

Diego’s maternal grandmother was named Catalina de Buon Rostro y de Zayas.

According some references, his paternal family were of Sephardi Jewish descent.

Source: Genealogy of Diego Velázquez – https://www.geni.com