Morales, Luis de (1509–1586)

Spanish painter. He worked in isolation, developing a style that brought both Flemish and Italian elements to a strong Spanish tradition. A typical work, often repeated with slight variations, is The Virgin and Child (Prado, Madrid).

Morales was born in Extremadura. Little is known of his career, though it is thought possible that he worked in Valencia and Seville as well as Badajoz, where he died. In style he seems to have acquired some Italian mannerisms through the Italianate Flemish painters of the time, such as Quentin Matsys.