Title: Las Meninas
Artist: Diego Velázquez
Place of Origin: Spain
Date: 1656
Dimensions: 125 ¼1/4” x 108 5/8”
Materials: oil on canvas
Originally painted to be displayed in the private study of King Philip IV of Spain, this take on a royal portrait reflects that relative familiarity and informality. Many art historians suppose that the “viewers” in this painting are the king and queen themselves, since their reflections are in the mirror behind the figures. At the time this was painted, Spain was one of the richest and most powerful kingdoms on the planet because of their ventures in the New World. The imposing presence of the king and queen, though their figures are not actually visible, is nevertheless felt in the outward attention from the central figures of the princess, some of her attendants, and the artist on the left. The artist Velázquez has included a self-portrait, painting on a canvas which is turned away from the viewers. He may be emphasizing his importance to the royal court. He stands surrounded by the king, the queen, and the princess, as much a part of their lives as the ladies in waiting. In a time when portrait artists were regarded more like craftsmen, this painting emphasizes Velázquez’s individuality as an artist and his place as a member of this world of power.
Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, “Diego Velázquez, Las Meninas,” in Smarthistory, November 23, 2015, https://smarthistory.org/diego-velazquez-las-meninas/.
Conversation 