Las Meninas

Diego Velasquez 1656 oil (318 x 276 cm)

 

Background Information

In Las Meninas, La Infanta Margarita, the Spanish princess, is surrounded by her governess and ladies in waiting (las meninas) and attendants in Madrid’s Alcazar Palace. At the back wall, there is a mirror where you can see a reflection of her parents, King Felipe IV, King of Spain, the most powerful leader in the world at the time, and his wife, Queen Maria. Diego Velasquez (1599-1660), the royal court’s painter, portrays himself painting a canvas the same size as this painting. Velasquez’s painting shows a naturalism, spontaneity, and informality that was unusual for a royal portrait. This, along with his presence in the painting shows Velasquez’s importance in the royal court.