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Las Meninas
Las Meninas is a multilayered and enigmatic work by the Baroque painter Diego Velázquez, depicting a scene from the royal palace in Madrid. The central figure is the Infanta Margaret Theresa surrounded by ladies-in-waiting, jesters, courtiers, and a dog. Velázquez portrays himself painting the picture, while in the background a mirror reflects the silhouettes of King Philip IV and the queen, creating mysterious spatial relationships between the figures, the viewer, and the artist.
Portrait of the Creator
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Artist
Diego Velázquez
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Date of birth and death
Baptised on 6 June 1599 – Died 6 August 1660
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Natinality
Spanish
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Style
Baroque
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Significant works
The Surrender of Breda, Rokeby Venus, Portrait of Innocent X, Las Meninas, Las Hilanderas
Information about the work
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Year:
1656
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Execution technique:
oil on canvas
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Location:
Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain
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Theme:
court scene, royal portrait, genre painting
Internal Narrative and Creative Framework
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Inner Narrative
The painting explores the theme of perception, reality, and illusion, emphasizing the role of the artist in creating the image and his relationship with the kingdom and the viewer. It is a metaphor for painting as a medium and the complex social relations at court.
The key to interpreting the work
It is important to pay attention to composition, light, perspective, and the interaction of figures. The painting raises questions about who is the observer and who is being observed, which is key to understanding the work.See other works by this artist
The Virgin appearing to St Ildephonsus and giving him a robe
- Artist: Diego Velázquez
- Year: 1620
