Juan Antonio de Frías y Escalante

Juan Antonio de Frías y Escalante painted religious scenes in a warm, loose Baroque style inspired by the Venetian masters Tintoretto and Veronese, with flowing drapery and soft light.

He was born in Córdoba in 1633 and trained in Madrid with Francisco Rizi. He worked in Madrid for churches and religious houses and developed a successful career despite dying young, at 36, in 1669. He painted many images of the Immaculate Conception, a favourite subject in Spain. His Saint Joseph and the Infant Christ is in the Hermitage, and the Prado holds several of his works.

The Conversion of Saint Paul and An Angel Awakens the Prophet Elijah show his energetic figures and light, airy colour.