Francisco Barrera: A Voice for Artists in the Shadow of Baroque In the grand, sweeping narrative of the Spanish Golden Age, names like Velázquez and Zurbarán often command the spotlight, casting long shadows over their contemporaries. Yet, within this era of profound artistic transformation, Francisco Barrera emerged as a figure of singular importance, not merely for the brushstrokes he left upon canvas, but for the courage with which he stood for his peers. Born in Madrid around 1595, Barrera’s life was deeply woven into the vibrant and often turbulent fabric of 17th-century Spanish culture…