Murillo, Bartolomeo Esteban, the greatest of Spanish painters, was born at Seville in 1618. He received his first instruction in art from his relation, Juan del Castillo. In 1642 he visited Madrid, and was aided by Velasquez, then painter to the king, who procured him permission to copy in the Royal Galleries. Murillo returned to Seville in 1645, where he commenced that great series of works which have now made his name so glorious. He married a lady of fortune in 1648, which much aided his personal influence, and he succeeded in establishing an academy of the arts at Seville in 1660, and acted as president the first year. - Winston's Encyclopedia, 1919