Las Meninas. Diego Velázquez

The scene occurs in the Room of the Prince, a room in the Alcázar of Madrid, the former palace of the kings of Spain.

Velázquez had his studio in that room and was painting a portrait of the monarchs Philip the Fourth and Mariana of Austria.

At that moment, the Infanta Margaret entered the room.

The painting is a group portrait depicting various figures:

• In the centre of the painting, we can see the Infanta Margaret, the daughter of the monarchs.
• On either side of the Infanta Margaret are her 2 meninas or maids: Isabel de Velasco stands while María Agustina Sarmiento kneels and offers Margaret a jug of water.
• In the right corner stand the dwarfs, Mari Bárbola and Nicolasito Pertusato, next to a large dog.
• There are 2 guardadamas behind the dwarfs. The job of guardadamas was to accompany the Queen and the Infanta. This job no longer exists. The woman is Marcela de Ulloa.
• Standing by the door in the background is José Nieto, who served as the chamberlain to the queen. He was responsible for organising the rooms in the palace.
• Finally, on the left, Velázquez portrays himself. He paints a large canvas and looks at the viewers.

In the background, there is a mirror next to the door.

The mirror reflects the monarchs.

The monarchs look at the scene while Velázquez portrays them.

Experts say that Las Meninas is one of the best paintings in the history of art.

Velázquez depicted the figures realistically, and the scene seems realistic.

Velázquez used light and perspective to create the illusion of depth in the room.

Velázquez successfully created an illusion of reality in the painting.

This illusion was what the painters of his time wanted to achieve.

Las Meninas has different meanings.

One meaning is political, related to the king.

Another meaning reflects the idea that Velázquez had of art.

Velázquez paints himself while he thinks about how to paint.

He does not brushstroke the painting but looks and thinks.

Velázquez believed that art is related to intelligence and ideas, not only to the skill of the hands.

Las Meninas decorated the office of the king in the palace for a long time.

For this reason, the painting was little known.

The painting became part of the Museo del Prado over 200 years ago when the museum opened.

Since then, millions of people have enjoyed the painting, and many artists have copied it.