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Pedro de Berruguete (c.1450–c.1504) was influenced by the Italians. This painting (c.1470) shows St Dominic sitting in judgment with members of the Inquisition.

Born in Crete, El Greco (1541–1614) was given his nickname (“The Greek”) after settling in Toledo in 1577. This inspirational 1612 masterpiece was intended for his own tomb.

Francisco Zurbarán (1598–1664) was born in Extremadura but trained in Seville. Best-known for his religious paintings, this still life (c.1658–64) reveals his technical mastery in details such as the gleam of light on the pewter dish.

This humane portrait (1630) of the ancient Greek mathematician is by José de Ribera (1591–1652). Like many Spanish artists of the period, Ribera was influenced by Caravaggio.

Like Zurbarán, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1618– 82) worked in and around Seville, mainly in the decoration of convents and monasteries. This beautiful work (1650), painted with fluent brushstrokes, is typical of his output.

This virtuoso exercise in perspective (1656) is by Diego Velázquez (1599–1660). Flanking the Infanta Margarita are her two ladies-in-waiting (las Meninas ). The scene also includes the artist, with paintbrush and palette in hand.

In this superb painting (c.1651) Diego Velázquez’s depiction of Madrid upholsterers is also a complex allegory based on the legend of the weaver Arachne.

This 1788 Goya landscape brilliantly evokes the atmosphere of the San Isidro celebrations (see Religious and Cultural Fiestas) and the clear light of spring.

This famous portrait (c.1797–1800) is one of a pair by Francisco de Goya (1746–1828) – the Maja Clothed is in the same room for comparison.

In this dramatic 1814 painting, Goya captures the execution of the leaders of the ill-fated insurrection against the French. The illuminated, Christ-like figure (see Goya’s “Black Paintings”) represents freedom being mowed down by the forces of oppression.