Chris Patten says:‘Velázquez, who painted fewer than 120 pieces, is one of my favourite artists. I recall being blown away a few years ago by an exhibition of a large part of his work at the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
'This is one of my favourites of his masterpieces.
'It exemplifies one of the most important values in public life–or in all life, for that matter–namely, magnanimity. It’s a beautiful example of graceful and generous leadership. Several other painters, including, I think, Picasso, said that, after Velázquez, there was nothing more to learn about painting ’
Lord Patten of Barnes, a former MP and the last governor of Hong Kong is chancellor of Oxford University
John McEwen says:
Velázquez’s picture shows an episode in the 80-years-long Dutch War of Independence, a conflict that perhaps requires brief explanation.
In 1521, the widespread European dominions of the Habsburg dynasty were split between the Austrian Habsburgs and the senior branch of the Spanish Habsburgs. The Austrian Habsburgs held the title Holy Roman Emperor, ruling what later became the Austro-Hungarian empire. The Spanish branch had, among its possessions, today’s Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg, then the Spanish Netherlands.
The Protestant Reformation meant that the area became a crucible of Protestant-Catholic warfare, with Protestantism to the fore in the commercial-industrial north (Holland) and Catholicism in the agrarian south (Belgium). What was to become the Dutch Republic gained de facto recog-nition from 1581, but full independence only with the war’s end in 1648.
Breda, in the south of today’s Holland, was a fortified city of strate-gic importance, its capture a major Spanish success late in the war. The siege matched two of the age’s most renowned generals, Spinola for Spain and Maurice of Nassau for Holland. Siege warfare had been strategically abandoned in favour of an economic blockade of the Dutch Republic, but Gen Spinola, a Genoese aristocrat, was victorious in defiance of orders.
Maurice died, so it was his son Justin who surrendered. The grace of Spinola’s acceptance became legend. He forbade his troops to jeer the Dutch and congratulated Justin on the courage and endurance of the defence.
My Favourite Painting: Lulu
Lulu chooses her favourite painting for Country Life.
My favourite painting: Jacqueline Wilson
'I looked at this painting and decided to write about a Victorian circus girl one day'
My favourite painting: Robert Macfarlane
Robert Macfarlane chooses his favourite painting for Country Life.
-
Dawn Chorus: A Blue Plaque for Marc Bolan, holidaying in the Caribbean with Francis Ford Coppola and a history of the National Gallery in 25 picturesPlus the best of the property pages, and how the railways will save the countryside.
-
Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courtsFrom Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
-
'As a child I wanted to snuggle up with the dogs and be part of it': Alexia Robinson chooses her favourite paintingAlexia Robinson, founder of Love British Food, chooses an Edwin Landseer classic.
-
The Pre-Raphaelite painter who swapped 'willowy, nubile women' for stained glass — and created some of the best examples in BritainThe painter Edward Burne-Jones turned from paint to glass for much of his career. James Hughes, director of the Victorian Society, chooses a glass masterpiece by Burne-Jones as his favourite 'painting'.
-
'I can’t look away. I’m captivated': The painter who takes years over each portrait, with the only guarantee being that it won't look like the subjectFor Country Life's My Favourite Painting slot, the writer Emily Howes chooses a work by a daring and challenging artist: Frank Auerbach.
-
My Favourite Painting: Rob HouchenThe actor Rob Houchen chooses a bold and challenging Egon Schiele work.
-
My Favourite Painting: Jeremy Clarkson'That's why this is my favourite painting. Because it invites you to imagine'
-
The chair of the National Gallery names his favourite from among the 2,300 masterpieces — and it will come as a bit of a shockAs the National Gallery turns 200, the chair of its board of trustees, John Booth, chooses his favourite painting.
-
'A wonderful reminder of what the countryside could and should be': The 200-year-old watercolour of a world fast disappearingChristopher Price of the Rare Breed Survival Trust on the bucolic beauty of The Magic Apple Tree by Samuel Palmer, which he nominates as his favourite painting.
-
My favourite painting: Andrew Graham-Dixon'Lesson Number One: it’s the pictures that baffle and tantalise you that stay in the mind forever .'
