Diego Valentín Díaz (1586 - 1660 was a painter active in the first half of the seventeenth century. He was the most prestigious painter in Valladolid during this time. He was a friend of famous peers including both Francisco Pacheco and Velasquez. Born in Valladolid he was the son of painter Pedro Díaz Minaya († 1624), more famous then than now. His earliest known works include the retablo of the convent of Santa Catalina de Valladolid (1608), and paintings in the Hospital de la Encarnación de Zamora (1610). His brothers Francisco Díaz y Marcelo Martínez Díaz were also painters.He was known for his piety, and was a member of the Santo Oficio and through his connections with several archbishops in Valladolid became partron from 1647 of the Colegio de Niñas Huérfanas de Valladolid. Widowed three times, he left all his possessions to the orphanage on his death including more than 200 paintings and his library of more than 500 books. Further information can be found at:
Wikipedia: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Valent%C3%ADn_D%C3%ADaz (consulted 3/06/2013)