The unsung artists of Spain’s Golden Age

Cath Pound | Engelsberg Ideas | 9th June 2026

The Hispanic Society boasts a roll call of great Spanish artists who influenced European aesthetics. El Greco wanted a role at the Hapsburg court, but his distorted figures didn’t win favour. Noticing this, a young Velazquez stuck to a naturalist approach and prospered. Other artists of merit emerged from the American colonies but Velazquez, Zurbarán, Ribera and Murillo outshone them all. They created images of power, spirituality and theatrical intensity to match Spain’s immense power.