Cajés, Eugenio

(1574-1634)

   Spanish painter of Florentine descent, trained in the Mannerist style. His father was Patrizio Cascezi, one of the artists involved in the decoration of the Monastery of San Lorenzo in El Escorial. It is from his father that Cajés learned the Italianate mode of painting, though visits to Florence would have given him further understanding of the latest Italian developments. Cajés' early works are collaborations with his father. In 1608, he entered the service of Philip III of Spain, and, in 1612, he became the king's official painter. One of Cajés' most successful works is the Meeting at the Golden Gate (c. 1604; Madrid, Museo Real Academia de Bellas Artes), originally part of the altarpiece of the Church of San Felipe el Real in Madrid.