Velázquez: The Spanish Style and the Art of Devotion

This dissertation offers an account of counter-reformation mystical texts and praxis with art historical applicability to Spanish painting of the Seventeenth Century— particularly the work of Diego Velázquez. The consequences of considering devotional practice and mystical experience in the analysis of Spanish painting in the siglo de oro yields new, more complete, and more intellectually satisfying readings of particular works. Without supplanting the long-established tradition of applying Flemish and Italian models to Diego Velázquez’ work, emphasis is placed on what is authentically Spanish in his accomplishments