Oil Paintings Reproductions

About The Artist - Diego Velázquez (June 6, 1599 - August 6, 1660)

Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez or Diego Velázquez was a Spanish painter and the main artist in the court of King Philip IV.

About The Painting - Las Meninas

Diego Velázquez or Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez is known for his individualistic artistry during the contemporary baroque period. He was a successful portrait artist. Famous for his beautiful and mystical renditions of popular scenes from history, Velazquez is also known for the many portraits of the Royal Family of Spain. Las Meninas (1656) is Velazquez's masterpiece and its English translation reads- The Maids of Honor.

The subject of Las Meninas, the infantas named Margarita, the eldest daughter of the new Queen of Spain surrounded by two maids-in-waiting, a mastiff, a dwarf, a fool, and Diego Velázquez, himself, standing at an easel gazing directly at the viewer. Las Meninas is considered the magnum opus of Diego Velazquez, but remains shrouded in mystery and it still remains unclear as to what or who is the actual subject of this painting. Is it the little princess or the painter himself?

Many people have commented on this painting; Luca Giordano has said of Las Meninas that it represented the "theology of painting", while Sir Thomas Lawrence has commented that the painting "incarnates the philosophy of art."

The infanta Margarita, despite being the smallest is the central figure and the focus of the composition. Just above the head of the princess, the ruling King and Queen are reflected in the mirror, maybe since they visited Velazquez quite frequently as he worked on Las Meninas. Although the royal couple is seen only as a reflection, their image forms the main focus, both in composition as well as content.

Las Meninas has three focal points - the glowing and delicate Infanta Margarita, the reflected images of King and Queen, and the self-portrait of Diego Velazquez himself.