Why Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas Continues to Inspire New Interpretations

As part of Sotheby’s Most Famous Artworks in the World series, this episode of Anatomy of an Artwork explores Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas, now located in the Museo del Prado, Madrid. Painted in 1656 at the Royal Alcázar of Madrid, this large scale masterpiece contains an enigmatic configuration of illusions and codes that invite new interpretations centuries later. The viewer is first drawn to a brightly painted figure of a young girl, but upon a closer inspection other focal points emerge. Velázquez includes himself in a rare self-portrait that when coupled with a mirror in which King Philip IV and his wife Mariana are reflected creates a ricochet of perspectives. This interplay of light and reflection has led scholars to describe Velásquez as “almost postmodern”.

[@Kenikex]

I was in high school when my art teacher showed us Las Meninas and discussed it, I was in awe in my own simpleton way trying to comprehend what I was seeing. First was the basic understanding of what you literally see in front of you, then you try to digest the entire composition, the meaning or not. This painting continues to draw me in.

[@alvar534]

Probably the greatest painting ever

[@viajerodelmisterio208]

Yes

[@Canmore06]

Brilliant description of this wonderfully intriguing painting. Thank you

[@franzgrabe1]

a portrait of Years ago became symbolistic work in modern times.
absolutely ravishing!

[@pikachuuu2163]

So he's legit painting the bts? Its like were the ones he's painting and this is what we see as he paints us

[@mayemcdonald9111]

It’s gorgeous!

[@10renato20santana86]

amazing, great video!

[@gonebymidnight2881]

Best realistic painter ever

[@jgrau5089]

and so modern at the same time, his portraits are so real but his technique so beyond his time.

[@salapaluza]

Thanks for the interesting video.

[@yuxiangjiang-it1iz]

who knows the background music？

[@ashmcclintic5061]

I'm in 7th grade and we are learning about this I want to cry help.

[@thomasjolliffe3702]

I am mesmerized by the first piece of music behind the narration. How can I find out the name of it? It evokes Iberia, the land of Moors and Christians, the cradle of Flamenco, Tapas, mystery, tragedy, Lorca, Velazquez, and on and on!

[@arturoperalta3438]

Hi is painting the Kings reflected on the mirror! Arturo Peralta

[@kinni02]

I knew there was something odd about this painting

[@Kenikex]

Meaning?

[@Happy_HIbiscus]

dude, this is cool

[@RichMitch]

A painting about painting

[@izzy1563]

The painting needs restoration - not just another inadequate cleaning. I wasn’t aware of the 18thc fire which could explain the smudgy look of the periphery of the painting and the almost dirty mirror representation of the King and Queen. The museum was renovated shortly after my visit so maybe the lighting of the work has improved. In contrast to the Prado were the works at the Thyssen which were all quite wonderful and the lighting impeccable.

[@guerlinesaintlouis4471]

Almost 🌿🍀🌴

[@arsenalroo]

Uh. The "chamberlain" leaving the room is Velazquez himself a few years later? Foreshadow?

[@luciadilazzaro2285]

No. Velázquez was the King's chamberlain, I think. The man leaving or entering the room is José Nieto, the Queen's chamberlain and a possible relative of Velázquez himself.

[@Kenikex]

No, he was an actual person, I can’t remember his name. Good friend of Velasquez’ and a royal court member.

[@MrJamyang24]

Lots of attributes by the narrator but so little evidence offered to support them. The analysis of the perspective is simple wrong; the artist choose to use only ONE vanishing point to be contained within the frame of the work; all the other vanishing points are off frame. There is NO ricochet of perspectives; the artist captures a moment when the king gazes into the light from the opened door as it floods the back of the chamber. The blurred reflection of the royal couple's portrait is deliberate as it remains in the king's come of vision but not the focus as he stares into the light beyond and precisely where the VP is located. The work superimposes the spectator with the head of a seated king. the VP is directly below the god Apollo for a good reason. The radiating light from the door and with the VP as its centre, causing us to imagine the king's head silhouetted against this radiance . Unlike Christian icons that show God facing us, the king face is reversed and facing into eternity. Both Velazquez and the king are aging and hence the focus on spiritual matters.....perhaps his own death and salvation.

[@earlsarcades]

Bunchs, Heddens and Hardesty

[@spica_parkings]

Yeah definitely postmodern

[@dott.yaacoubandergassenaqu3623]

thehabsburgsagainstreconquista #theprado #lasmeninas #madriddelosaustrias #cordobamatters #cordoba1978 #franzkrankl #football #atlantic #religion #brotherhood #annavontirol #cafeaulait #cafebombon #schwarzpulver #1453byzantinium #monastir #donjuandeaustria