Born in Seville to a silversmith’s family, Murillo trained in the city’s vibrant artistic milieu under Juan del Castillo. He became known for warm, luminous depictions of the... View More

Born in Seville to a silversmith’s family, Murillo trained in the city’s vibrant artistic milieu under Juan del Castillo. He became known for warm, luminous depictions of the Immaculate Conception, the Madonna and Child, and street urchins—painting for churches, monasteries, and charitable institutions.

Murillo co-founded the Academia de Bellas Artes in Seville, fostering local artists and elevating the status of genre scenes. His soulful portrayals—rich in soft light and naturalism—resonated with the Baroque Counter-Reformation emphasis on accessible, emotionally engaging imagery. European collectors prized his works for their devotional sincerity and technical grace. Today, Seville’s Cathedral museum houses many of his greatest paintings, preserving his legacy as Spain’s most beloved 17th‑century master.