Las Meninas | Diego Velazquez | 1656

"Las Meninas" is a masterpiece by Diego Velázquez, painted in 1656, and is considered one of the most analyzed and celebrated paintings in Western art history. The scene is set in Velázquez's workshop in the Royal Alcazar of Madrid, depicting the Spanish royal family and their attendants. The painting is renowned for its complex and enigmatic composition that includes the artist himself at the canvas, the young Infanta Margarita Teresa at the center surrounded by her maids of honor (meninas), a dwarf, a dog, and other figures, including the reflection of King Philip IV and Queen Mariana in a mirror on the back wall. Velázquez employs a sophisticated use of perspective, light, and shadow to draw the viewer's eye across the various focal points, creating a sense of depth and realism. "Las Meninas" is celebrated for its ambiguity, blurring the lines between reality and illusion, and serves as a commentary on the nature of art and the artist's status. It resides in the Museo del Prado in Madrid and remains a subject of extensive scholarly interest and interpretation, illustrating Velázquez's prowess in manipulating visual perception and his profound influence on Western art.