Juan Rizi

He was the son of the Italian painter, Antonio Ricci, who had come to Spain to work on decorations for El Escorial.

He appears to have begun his apprenticeship with his father, but he is known to have attended the workshops of Juan Bautista Maíno as well.

In 1627, he joined the Benedictine Order and took up residence at Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey and apparently studied law at the University of Salamanca.

He was expelled from the Abbey in 1640, due to his strong advocacy of Castilian nationalism during the Reapers' War.

Later, he was removed from the court of Prince Balthasar Charles, where he was employed as a drawing teacher, for opposing the appointment of a new Abbott made by King Philip IV.