In 1614 he studied at the studio well-known painter Pedro de Villanueva, the author of numerous religious compositions. Three years later, Zurbaran was already an independent master, and began to carry out orders of churches and monasteries. The artist did not like big cities, and even Sevilla seemed too noisy. He preferred to work in the surrounding monasteries. However, when in 1629 the municipality of Seville Surbaranu proposed move to the city and founded his studio, the artist changed his passion, but settled in Seville, he preferred to carry out the orders of monasteries.
 
In the 50's of the XVII century Zurbaran no longer enjoys the success that followed him throughout life, his work began to seem archaic contemporaries.
In 1658 the artist moved to Madrid, where he died in obscurity.