Velazquez Las Meninas
Artist: Diego Velazquez (Spanish b. 1599 d. 1660)
Date: 1656
Dimensions: 10’5” x 9”
Medium: oil on canvas
Current location: Museo del Prado, Madrid
Period: Baroque
Genre: history painting/portraiture (defies categorization)

Quick Notes:
  • The central figure in the painting is the Infanta (princess) Margarita. She is surrounded by
    her attendants and, to the left, a self portrait by Velazquez.
  • King Philip and the Queen are shown reflected in the mirror above the Infanta’s head.
  • What is depicted on the hidden front of the canvas on which Velazquez is painting within
    Las Meninas? Has he been painting a portrait of the Infanta or a portrait of the King and
    Queen. Or is the painting within the painting Las Meninas itself? While the third theory
    seems odd, the height of the painting within the painting is nearly the same size as Las
    Meninas, which is the only painting Velazquez made of that size.
  • As the court painter to King Philip, Velazquez was the only artist permitted to paint the
    King’s portrait.

Suggested Compare-Contrast Target:
  • Van Eyck, Arnolfini Wedding Portrait
  • Goya, The Family of Charles IV


Writing Prompts:
  • In one sentence, summarize the subject of this composition.
  • What is the center of attention in this composition? Who are what is the viewer expected
    to focus upon?

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