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Spanish B1.18.3 Diego Velázquez, established painter of Spain

Discover the history of Diego Velázquez and his work at the court of Philip IV.

Cultura: Diego Velázquez, pintor consolidado de España

Conoce la historia de Diego Velázquez y su trabajo en la corte de Felipe IV.

Spanish B1.18.3 Diego Velázquez, established painter of Spain

B1 Spanish Art Spain

Level: B1

Module 3: Sueños (Dreams)

Lesson 18: Trabajo: expectativas y realidad (Occupation: expectations and reality)

Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes

Audio and video

Audio
Audio
Audio with translations
Audio with translations

Reading and listening exercise

Diego Velázquez fue uno de los pintores más importantes de España. Trabajó como empleado en la corte del rey Felipe IV. Su trabajo principal era pintar retratos de la Familia Real y de otras personas importantes. No tenía un gran departamento de arte pero sí algunos ayudantes que le preparaban las herramientas necesarias. Con más ayudantes él habría terminado sus obras más rápido. No se jubiló porque trabajó hasta su muerte en 1660. Hoy sus pinturas se conservan en museos como el Museo del Prado donde muchos empleados cuidan de su legado.

Translation

Diego Velázquez was one of the most important painters in Spain. He worked as an employee at the court of King Philip IV. His main job was painting portraits of the Royal Family and other important people. He didn't have a large department of art but did have some assistants who prepared the necessary tools for him. With more assistants he would have finished his works faster. He did not retire because he worked until his death in 1660. Today, his paintings are preserved in museums like the Prado Museum where many employees take care of his legacy.

Exercise 1: Discussion questions

Instruction: Discuss the questions after listening to the audio or reading through the text.

  1. Quién fue Diego Velázquez y cuál era su trabajo principal?
    2. Who was Diego Velázquez and what was his main job?
  2. ¿Qué tipo de personas aparecían en los retratos de Velázquez?
    3. What kind of people appeared in Velázquez's portraits?
  3. ¿Te gustaría trabajar como pintor en la corte de un rey? ¿Por qué sí o no?
    4. Would you like to work as a painter in the court of a king? Why or why not?
  4. ¿Te gustaría tener un ayudante en tu trabajo? ¿Qué tareas le darías?
    5. Would you like to have an assistant at your work? What tasks would you assign to them?
  5. ¿Alguna vez has visitado el Museo del Prado? ¿Te gustó?
    6. Have you ever visited the Prado Museum? Did you like it?

Useful websites to study with your teacher

Discuss and read the following resources during your conversation classes.

  1. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez
  2. https://www.museodelprado.es/