Who was Juan De Pareja? Juan de Pareja was a multiracial Spanish painter. Born in Antequera, he gained notoriety as Diego Velazquez’s slave until 1654. He rose to prominence with the ‘Portrait of Juan De Pareja’ made by Velazquez. He is mostly known for ‘The Calling of Saint Matthew’ (The Vocation of Saint Matthew) (1661), … Continue reading The Journey From a Slave to a Painter – Juan de Pareja