Black Juan de Pareja is a historical person: he was a slave of Diego Velazquez and became an artist himself, although slaves in Spain of the XNUMXth century were forbidden to practice arts. The American Elizabeth Borton de Treviño brought this meager information to life.
Black Juan de Pareja is a historical person: he was a slave of Diego Velazquez and became an artist himself, although slaves in Spain of the 1965th century were forbidden to practice arts. The American Elizabeth Borton de Treviño brought this meager information to life. Her Pareja tells the story of his life so sincerely and artlessly, with such a sincere intonation that the book (written back in XNUMX and then awarded the Newbery medal) captivates everyone — including those who have never been interested in painting or Spain. . This novel is surprisingly pleasant to read aloud to a child at bedtime — slowly, day after day, chapter by chapter. And together look at the beautiful reproductions of paintings by Velasquez.