Phoenix Lacquer Art Great Masters Diego Velázquez Fountain pen

The Phoenix Lacquer Art Great Masters series honours the greatest masters of the world. In this distinguished collection, Phoenix pays tribute to legendary artists such as Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Diego Velázquez. On the cap of each fountain pen, a (self)portrait of the artist is featured, while on the barrel one of the artist’s most iconic masterpieces is exquisitely hand-painted by the master lacquer artists of Phoenix.

Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez (1599–1660) was a Spanish painter, the leading artist at the court of King Philip IV, and one of the most important painters of the Spanish Golden Age. He was a highly individualistic artist of the contemporary Baroque period, renowned for his innovative realism and masterful use of light and perspective. In addition to numerous renditions of scenes of historical and cultural significance, Velázquez painted scores of portraits of the Spanish royal family, influential European figures, and commoners alike. His artistic journey culminated in the creation of his ultimate masterpiece, Las Meninas (1656).

On the Diego Velázquez edition of the Phoenix Great Masters fountain pen, a refined self-portrait of the master can be found on the cap. The portrait is beautifully executed with subtle contrasts of light and shadow, giving it remarkable depth and presence. The calm yet penetrating gaze of Velázquez appears to follow the viewer from every angle, showcasing the extraordinary precision and artistry of Phoenix’s lacquer craftsmen.

The barrel of the pen features a stunning hand-painted reproduction of Las Meninas (Spanish for “The Ladies-in-Waiting”), created in 1656 and now housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid. This iconic painting is celebrated for its complex and enigmatic composition, raising profound questions about reality and illusion while creating an uncertain relationship between the viewer and the figures depicted. Because of these artistic complexities, Las Meninas has become one of the most widely analyzed and discussed masterpieces in the history of Western painting. Phoenix faithfully translates the intricate details, depth, and atmosphere of this legendary work onto the barrel with remarkable finesse.

This Phoenix Lacquer Art Great Masters Diego Velázquez Fountain Pen is an extremely rare limited edition of only 5 pieces worldwide. Crafted in the impressive Emperor size, the fountain pen is fitted with a luxurious 18k gold nib and equipped with a power filler system, ensuring both exceptional writing performance and substantial ink capacity.

A true collector’s piece, this fountain pen is not merely a writing instrument, but a wearable work of art—uniting museum-level craftsmanship, fine art history, and technical excellence for the most discerning fountain pen collectors and art connoisseurs.

The bodies of the Phoenix Lacquer Art pens are made from resin by Visconti in Florence. After that the clean black bodies are sent to Russia where the artists of Phoenix Lacquer Art have the complete freedom to decorate it with (egg)tempera, gold leaf and lacquer. The fountain pens also use the Power Filler mechanism which is an invention of Dante del Vechhio, former CEO and founder of Visconti. The fountain pens have a 18kt gold duotone Medium nib with ebonite feed. The nibs are made by Peter Bock in Heidelberg, Germany.  If you are not into writing with a fountain pen, a spare rollerball forepart can be purchased as an extra option.

Phoenix makes beautiful art works on writing instruments in the style of the Russian lacquer and miniature art, which is a tradition that dates back for centuries. The striking images that are created by the artisans are done because of their passion for this art style. There is something miraculous about the birth of a precious object of art. It all starts with a thought, an idea and the artist gives the most perfect expression to this inspiration.

All the art works on the Phoenix pens are handmade, crafted with expert skill in limited editions of sometimes only one, by only the greatest Russian artists. It takes over six to eight weeks to paint a single pen and is very insensitive for the artist. A Phoenix writing instrument is more than just a writing instrument, it is a piece of art, a lifetime gift, delivering exceptional writing pleasure.