Francisco de Zurbarán, a renowned Spanish painter, was born in Fuente de Cantos, Badajoz, in 1598. He received his artistic education in Seville and later settled there in 1628. During a period in Madrid in 1634, he became a court artist, producing compositions for the royal palace, including battle scenes, while drawing inspiration from the painting style of Jose de Ribera.

Zurbarán's most celebrated works emerged during the 1630s-1640s, encompassing three cycles of paintings created for churches and monasteries in Jerez, Guadalupe, and Seville.

His significant contribution to Baroque art lies in the seamless fusion of the mystical and the real in his religious paintings, portraits, and still-life pieces. His figures are meticulously crafted, resembling three-dimensional statues. The religious subjects often convey the serenity, solitude, and contemplative ambiance of Spanish monasteries in the 17th century. Zurbarán's paintings exhibit an ascetic simplicity, meticulously arranged compositions, bold usage of deep dark tones, and a distinct reinterpretation of Flemish engravings.

Numerous works by Zurbarán are held in prestigious museums and galleries in Madrid, Seville, Cadiz, and Guadalupe. His influence also extended to Latin American art, leaving a noticeable imprint on the region's artistic expressions.