The Art of Painting

poem by Céspedes

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June 18, 2026

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The poem "The Art of Painting" was written by Pablo de Césspedes, a Spanish poet, painter, sculptor, and architect of the 16th century. This didactic verse is considered among the best in Spanish literature and includes a eulogy of Michelangelo. The poem's surviving fragments were first published in Francisco Pacheco's treatise Del arte de la pintura ("On the Art of Painting") in 1649. Césspedes also authored prose pieces related to his artistic professions.1

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Pablo de Céspedes
His poem “The Art of Painting,” containing a glowing eulogy of Michelangelo, is considered among the best didactic verse in Spanish. The few remaining fragments were first printed by Francisco Pacheco in his treatise Del arte de la pintura (“On the Art of Painting”) in 1649.
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His poem “The Art of Painting,” containing a glowing eulogy of Michelangelo, is considered among the best didactic verse in Spanish. The few remaining fragments were first printed by Francisco Pacheco in his treatise Del arte de la pintura (“On the Art of Painting”) in 1649.
Read More