Where Were Black People During the Renaissance? And Who is Juan de Pareja?

Juan de Pareja, The Calling of St. Matthew, 1661. Museo del Prado, Madrid.

During the Renaissance (roughly 14th to 17th century), Black people were present across Europe—particularly in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and the Netherlands—where they played significant roles as artists, scholars, merchants, soldiers, and members of royal courts. Their presence was shaped by trade, migration, war, and cultural exchange, particularly through connections between Africa, the Mediterranean, and Europe.

Few stories from this era are as compelling as that of Juan de Pareja (1606–1670)—a 17th-century Afro-Hispanic painter who, against all odds, transitioned from enslavement to artistic recognition. His journey is not just the story of a painter, but a testament to resilience, skill, and the ability of art to transcend social barriers.

Juan de Pareja was born in Antequera, Spain, to a mixed-race family of African descent at a time when racial hierarchies in Spain placed people of African ancestry in lower social positions. By the early 1600s, he was enslaved and eventually came into the household of Diego Velázquez (1599–1660)—Spain’s court painter to King Philip IV and one of the greatest artists of the Spanish Golden Age.

In Velázquez’s studio, Pareja worked primarily as an assistant, preparing canvases, mixing pigments, and helping create artworks. Spanish law at the time forbade enslaved individuals from engaging in artistic professions without permission, so Pareja painted in secret, developing his craft in the shadows.

Diego Velázquez, Portrait of Juan de Pareja, 1650. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

In 1650, Velázquez painted what is now considered one of the most striking and empathetic portraits of the Baroque era: Portrait of Juan de Pareja. This powerful work, now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, is remarkable for the dignity and presence it grants to Pareja. Unlike many depictions of Black or mixed-race figures at the time, Velázquez’s painting portrays Pareja not as an anonymous servant, but as an individual of profound depth and intelligence.

The portrait was exhibited in Rome that same year and received such widespread admiration that Velázquez was reportedly encouraged to grant Pareja his freedom.

Shortly after Velázquez formally freed Juan de Pareja in 1654, Pareja established himself as an independent painter in Madrid. He built a reputation for his mastery of light, shadow, and composition—techniques learned from Velázquez, yet distinct in his own artistic voice.

One of his most famous surviving works, The Calling of Saint Matthew (1661), now held in Madrid’s Prado Museum, reflects his deep understanding of color and narrative depth. His paintings demonstrate both the influence of his former master and his own individual artistry, proving that he was more than just a student—he was a visionary in his own right.

Juan de Pareja’s journey challenges assumptions about race, status, and artistic talent in 17th-century Spain. He was not just a subject of a portrait—he was an artist who defied the barriers imposed upon him and claimed his own place in history.

His influence extends far beyond his own time. Today, scholars and curators continue to study his work, exploring the complexities of race and representation in European art. His portrait by Velázquez remains one of the most celebrated works at The Met, and contemporary Black and Afro-Latinx artists often look to his story as an example of perseverance and excellence in the face of oppression.

At the Northeast Louisiana Delta African-American Heritage Museum, we are dedicated to illuminating untold stories of Black artists and creatives throughout history. The legacy of Juan de Pareja reminds us that Black artistry has never been confined to one place or time—it has always been global.

His journey, from an enslaved assistant to a master of his own craft, reflects the power of creativity to transcend barriers and the necessity of reclaiming artists whose contributions have too often been overlooked.

We invite you to visit us and explore how Black artists—past and present—have shaped history, challenged narratives, and redefined what it means to be an artist in a world that often tried to silence them.

Do you know of artists whose stories deserve to be told? Let us know! We are always seeking to expand the conversation.

Email us here or stop by the museum to share your thoughts in person.