The court artist of King Philip IV of Spain, Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez (June 1599 – August 6, 1660) is not only one of the brightest personalities of the Spanish Golden Age but also one of the most famous masters in the history of Western art. Monet and Renoir, Corot and Courbet, Degas and Dalí all praised his influence. Picasso was so inspired by his masterpiece, Las Meninas, that he created 44 variations of it. Velázquez's significance lies particularly in his naturalistic approach, in contrast to the more widespread idealized manner of his time. His early works included many "bodegones," everyday life scenes in early 17th century Spain, where warm, rich tones and textures elevate the most ordinary subjects and humble faces, such as the "Old Woman Frying Eggs." Later, his portraits for the royal court brought the same naturalism to the highest levels of society, marking a profound change in the depiction of royal power with softer, more relaxed poses that offered his subjects human warmth and character, as well as a sense of grandeur. His most famous work, Las Meninas, was also painted in the royal court, but in its enigmatic composition, it raises many broader questions about reality and illusion as well as the relationship between painter, painting, and viewer. This new TASCHEN Basic Art 2.0 edition introduces Velázquez through key works across his career. From humble genres to royal portraits, the exquisite nude Rokeby Venus, and the always mysterious Las Meninas, we explore his extraordinary attention to composition, masterful handling of tone, and remarkable influence, as Manet said, “the greatest painter of all.”