Las Meninas was painted in the 17th century by Diego Velázquez, that much we know, but there are a dozen unknowns associated with it. From the mysterious mirror to the man in the doorway, the red vessel and the red emblem on the painter's own chest, there's much to be debated. Artists, historians, critics, and philosophers have written about this painting over the last 350 years. It's been called a time machine and an optical illusion; it's the most talked about piece in Western art and for good reason. Find out why when you fall down this rabbit hole.
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I saw this painting in 1983 at the Prado. As I gazed upon it someone handed me a mirror and told me to turn around and view the painting by looking in the mirror. It came to life! Sort of 3D, with depth and aspects not visible when directly viewed. I am really surprised this is not mentioned.
Don't talk shite.
Can you elaborate, please 🙏
Thank you so much for mentioning the mirror! Even on my computer screen, looking at the picture in this video through a mirror has some small effect in enhancing the 3d vision and depth, that you descriped. I can imagine, how much stronger the effect will be on the real thing. I hope, I will get the chance to see the painting in a museum and try the mirror. Thank you for sharing!
@@Kireani that was likely a placebo effect, pixels or pictures can’t convey the shifting depths that a mirror would insight from a real canvas. But it’s still interesting how influential our minds can be on our experiences when we’re expecting a specific outcome
That's because you have seen the real painting when the maker of this video haven't.
The actual impressive part about this piece is that it displays all three perspectives (1st person, 2nd person, and 3rd person) of the same subject at the same time.
1st I get because the viewer is viewing from the perspective of the subject. 2nd I get because the subject(s) is shown in the mirror. But 3rd? I don't understand what you mean.
@@GenericInternetter Wouldn't the painter himself and that it is a self-portrait, actually count as the 1st person instead? The subjects in the room would also count as the subjects in the mirror in the 2nd person. In the 3rd person, the artist implies that *you* are the one looking in the room looking upon the scene, and that the mirror also portrays a reflection of something else that *you* see, but the artist has his back to it.
@@AAFREAK Yeah I kind of agree. This painting just shows multiple 1st person perspectives at the same time.
MDCCXCII - I have taken an entire college-level class on perspective drawing and have a lot of experience drafting in those various perspectives, but I have never heard of your terms, "1st person, 2nd person, 3rd person" related to perspectives in space -- unless you are speaking of WRITING, which can be from the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person narrative. --------------- The room in the painting is basically a 1-point perspective focused near the figure on the steps (the vanishing point), as the video points out. The canvas as an object is in a 2-point perspective. There is also atmospheric perspective here where the foreground differs in some way from the background in order to create depth. In this case, light foreground figures and dark back wall.
If you go to the Prado museum, you'll watch to this picture through a huge mirror placed in front of it, so you can admire the amazing 3D depth of the painting, as if you were about to fall inside it. Somebody knows any other picture giving that impression and/or any other museum where there's such a device?
I saw this painting in 2012 at the Prado in Madrid. I was mulling about, looking at other smaller works of art, then this one rises like a skyscraper and you just stand there, mouth agape. I'll never forget the moment I first laid eyes on it. Still perhaps my favorite painting ever.
It must be insanely frustrating to art historians to know that there was once more to this painting that could be studied for insight into this moment in time, but it's lost forever. The fire happened before photography was invented, so there's not even a backup copy. Thankfully it was mostly only the edges that were lost, but considering how much thought was put into every little detail by Sir Velazquez, one can't help but know that even the fringes of the canvas held imagery of significance.
Why no mention of the dog. Picasso gives the dog an important number2. Relaxed state would give information. Large space taken in the portrait and yet you have failed to even see it!!
we have the first Borbon king to thank, he just came from France and hated the Alcázar, so he set it on fire. He wanted a french style palace, which is the Royal palace you can see this days in Madrid.
@@FeelMetalMan The French continue to prove the ruin of all things.
We're lucky this painting survived. How it's depressing to think of the great artworks that may have been compleatly lost, with no record of thier existence.
Yeah, always when you take toys away from little children, it's a tragedy.
I’ve seen this painting in person. The real reason it is important is because it is clandestinely egalitarian. The subject of the painting is the king and queen, who are you! It’s a painting of what it would look like if you were the king and queen getting your portrait painted. The court hangers on are just there because you the king and queen are there posing for a painting. So it places the viewer in the place of the king and queen, the subject of the painting.
Very observant. ;)
I totally agree. I studied Velazquez and this painting specifically back in Spanish IV in high school, lol, and he has remained my favorite artist, even after my minor in Art History. His artistic treatment of the "buffoons" or dwarfs of the court shows a respect and tenderness that puts them on equal footing with any of the other subjects in his work. That he would also include himself in the canvas was daring, but showed how ideas were changing at that time.
@@linguaphile42 That's exactly it. You can even see a reflection of you and your king or queen in the mirror at the back. Who knows if the angle is right but I think that is definitly what was intended. There were many "enlightened despots" at the time. Hereditary royalty who adopted liberalist agendas, in Europe. They didn't last long because the other rich people around them didn't like that.
Yes, yes I totally agree it truly is egalitarian in nature. A gift from the artist to the viewer.😎👍🏽
There is also the dog, the nearest figure to the viewer. Peripheral, but closest to the eye. Animal, child, servants, and various adults of differing social status. All spread out before the viewer, to appreciate as a whole. Egalitarian is exactly what it is. "Even a cat may look at a king" was an English proverb known by the early 17th century.
I have stood in front of this painting at the Prado and not truly appreciated its meaning and enormous affect on the art world until now. Really enjoyable and well told thanks.
Imagine how many amazing pieces of art have been destroyed, or just never had eyeballs laid on them....
There’s a lot of native art and material culture that was destroyed to which would’ve been amazing to learn more about. At least we’ve had success deciphering Mayan writing off ruins.
I always felt the painting was made from a collage of sketches reflecting his experience as a portrait artist. The painting is full of inconveniences: the dog, attendants, other paintings, people disrupting the light and framing in every possible way. He includes the things you are trained to ignore whem sketching portraits and shows the true chaos of life. He includes himself and his massive canvas in acknowledgment of his own intrusive presence. He invites the viewer to be apart of that chaotic painting itself. The mirror reflecting the intended viewers-- the king and queen.
Brilliant!
Thank you for your comment. I find the paint ing puzzling. It is so mysterious. Your observation impressed me.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
That's a really interesting interpretation. Also explains the slightly irritated look he seems to be giving the viewer like: "see what I have to deal with?"
I love this interpretation. Very thought-provoking
The most important detail of this painting is this: how dares a painter to portrait himself among the royal family members??? And here is the reason: Velázquez wished indeed the knighthood of the "Order of Santiago" which was the highest honour a man could reach at that time in Spain. As laughable it may sound, one of the main conditions to be eligible for it was not to earn your life by doing manual labour. In Las Meninas Velazquez included himself in a random royal family scene because he wanted to show the world that he was not a painter earning money for his work but a friend of the king and the entire royal family.
True! similar to Goya´s painting of the royal family where he portraiied himself in the background but here Velazquez painted himself in full body
Interesting. I have a very extensive family tree with ancestors in Orden de Santiago in it.
Royalty is way too overated...because of sheep.
Imagine, one of the highest honors in your society coming with the explicit condition of being a parasite who lives off the labour of others....
@@VonSpud You don't have a clue what life was like before the modern era. Read a book.
What an incredible video! I wish that I had this kind of talent. Beautiful painting.
Saw this painting in 1977, when in Madrid. Amazing work of art, truly great artist.
The fact that he’s painting all the subjects as they face us, and not him, makes me feel like we are where the mirror is, and that the artist is looking into a mirror.
I came across this painting in the Prado in 1972. It was a chilly December day and few people were in the museum. I knew nothing of the artist, but as I entered the room I knew I was viewing an important painting. The manner in which it was displayed added to the moment. It is the most memorable painting I saw on that tour of Europe. I have often shared that moment.
Fifty years ago!
I was there also that year as a teen and still remember seeing this painting. Very impressive!
The paintings physical size and location in the Prado are also excellent clues.
I viewed it in ‘80 and have a canvas copy hanging in my home. Something just drew me to it.
We need more exposure to amazing art like this.
This painting is so beautiful. It leaves the viewer looking for more. Any type of art that leaves the viewer, looking for more is.....great art! In my opinion.
I feel like people think this painting is fascinating because of the interactions taking place as well as the placement of the subjects. What are they talking about, where is he going, why is there a couple in the mirror? The artist being there is also an invitation to be part of the scene. The execution is flawless though. GREAT video‼️
"why is there a couple in the mirror?" - these guys paid for the picture. good idea to include them somehow.
That 'couple' is the King and Queen of Spain whom the artist is painting...
I think..... People think to deep into this.....
Well, was Velasquez a righty or a lefty ? If he was painting his reflexion, everything would be reversed from real life...
@@robertl.6919 It's meant to be the view from one of the monarchs' eyes ( I think the Queen?). So it's not a reflection - the reverse would be the mirror
I've got little kids and something about the way the princess is holding herself really looks like the way my toddlers stand when they look at their reflections and not how they look at me, so when you talked about the mirror theory I felt like the painting suddenly made more sense
That's a really great point
It really did look like he is painting a giant mirror, but you would think the giant mirror camp would have used handedness to prove their point was the painter right handed? Things are backwards in a mirror. But there was no mention of the handedness of the painter, you'd think that'd be a slam dunk.
@@corsayr9629 that's a really good point.
@@corsayr9629 maybe his handiness was forgotten detail.
It just _looks_ like a reflection, doesn't it? These people are not looking at a painter, they are looking at themselves, except Diego, who is clearly looking at the reflection. Door guy? He came to see because he heard what was going on. Diego made it to show off. This is flex, pure and simple. He was painting one day, there was a small mirror but chance, he saw himself painting himself and though, "cool, I need a really big mirror and some people and I will paint a little of what it looks like when I paint a painting. KNIGHTHOOD CACHING!! DOLLAR DOLLAR BILL YO!" I've obviously translated from the original Spanish.
From the perspective as a photograher. This is probably the very first informal portrait as popularized by the likes of Lebowitz who has done so many group portraits in this style
Crazy how just a change of perception in a painting can create such a talking point. Art is abstract and for me this piece is simply an expression of what goes into painting for a person painting somebody of royal stature. How a simple portrait during its creation is a collection of the artists interpretation of his surroundings and bustlings that is tied to the daily life of a royal shown in almost an early depiction of the breakage of the fourth wall.
If it’s a painting of the king and queen, it’s actually more mind travel than time travel. Just imagine you’re famous or important. You’re having a portrait done, but the artist boldly decides to paint your mind, not your image. So the artist depicts what YOU can see, not what he can see. And through such staging, the artist depicts what you find important and what you choose to surround yourself with. Family, court, servants, and a tiresome but necessary vanity project - another portraiture session with that presumptuous painter Velásquez.
I like your interpretion. Very insightful!
Lop pop pppppp
I like your interpretation
All great monuments are time machines in a sense .. it is the powerful projecting thier presence across time .. probably the greatest example is the Great Pyramid or the Great Wall of China .. but painting like these also count to a less extent.
Yes, the king and queen see themselves reflected when they stand together.
It never ceases to amaze me how exquisite the art of several hundred years prior to ourselves continues to be. The depth, the color, the ability to truly look into the face of someone who has literally been dead for generations and yet they are so alive upon the canvas is exquisite beyond words. Irrespective of the meaning behind it, it is a joy to behold
Yes and look at what sub saharan Africa contributed.... Oh wait
@@jamesjameson4566 Please tell me more.
@@LillikoiSeed nothing to tell
@@jamesjameson4566 but if you’re talking about art, all of its forms are important and beautiful. I don’t know what you’re actually referring to but I would like very much to know more. If there are links that you can put me towards or specific works that you think are relevant, I would truly like to see and know. I wasn’t trying to denigrate anything outside of anything. Art is such an amazing morphing entity. The expression of emotion. Let me learn more.
@@LillikoiSeed no dawn I will not, you are not ready yet
I was blessed to see this amazing work during a college abroad semester...it is massive and the detail is mesmerizing.....I know little about art except what moves me and this did tremendously .
I was so impressed by this short yet informative video on the Las Meninas painting that I visited the Rabbit Hole channel during the credits. BIG mistake! Concentrating so heavily on Alien abductions and purported messages from space tend to damage a KZheadrs credibility, I find. That said, the Commenters below are a real treasure. I learned more about the painting and Spanish society at the time reading through them than I could possibly have hoped for!
I recommend reading a biography of Velazquez, he had a fascinating life and it makes this painting extremely emotional and personal because those people had become like a family to him. It’s painted like a snapshot into their normal life.
I remember seeing this painting in a gallery many years ago. It took my breath away.
His crucifixion in the Prado reared me up right there on the spot.
Same experience - also many decades ago now!
As would my farts
Not the same viewing a reproduction, than the original.
This is definitely my favorite kind of painting, the kind where you feel there is a really interesting story or some kind of mystery behind them.
A mesmerizing painting indeed, one of many of that era. The Renaissance Period, 14th century to the 17th century, is one of the most beguiling and in many ways a more mysterious moment in the known history of humanity. Everything from science, medicine, art, politics, to philosophy and religion was refined exponentially and blossomed. Even classical literature built a more solid base. The Picture Art from the renaissance era alone is mind boggling and thought provoking to say the least. Music made possible the Baroque. It seems that the old and ancient knowledges were taken and reformulated into a basis for modern thought and ingenuity. Lorenzo de' Medici. ... Leonardo da Vinci. ... Michelangelo. ... Nicolaus Copernicus. ... Petrarch. ... Raphael. ... Galileo Galilei. ... Michel de Montaigne…, and more…; Without the genius of these minds, the concept of a republic government with the ideals of a nation with individual freedoms, liberties and pursuit of happiness would not have fostered into reality in 1776. Nor the reformation, allowing the continuing spread of Christianity that also spread the Gospel more uniformly around the globe and ultimately would support the reunification of Israel (the Catholics should never ever get full credit!). Nor the science that not only ushered in the Industrial Age but also collected and fostered educational processes that led to 19th century developments of the maths and sciences allowing for theoretical physics and more brilliant insights and advances in the generation that put ‘man on the moon’. And, tyrannical governments would not prevail and lay waste the world, not yet anyway. Thanks for letting me ramble. I’m just a proud and old American soldier of Irish descent, who maybe has lived too long, but loves God and freedom, and as long as Quora allows I will continue my random thoughts on various topics.
I have seen this painting in person. It's overwhelming, a great human treasure.
@@carcrazy6469 no. you racist
I can agree a great human treasure, better than, " The worlds most controversial painting, no wait, The Worlds Most Controversial Painting, is bias and silly
The question 'How was it the world's most controversial painting' was never really answered. Just because Velasquez's knighthood casts ambiguity regarding the year the painting was painted hardly makes it the world's most controversial painting.
just clickbait.
Yeah, I can think of far more controversial paintings. The painting that Prince Albert commissioned of Queen Victoria was scandalous. There was one of Winston Churchill that was hated so much his wife destroyed it. These "modern art" paintings are very controversial. And what about the paintings Adolf Hitler created?
The video didn´t nearly address all the controversial points. For example, back in that age, painters could´t paint themselves in the same painting as the royal family (that would be like saying they are as important, at the same level), the same with servants, that were hardly ever painted and never within the same canvas except for relevant historial reasons (like soldiers in a battle scene), so that is a very BIG controversy because Velazquez not only painted himself far bigger than the Menina, but he only added the king couple in a reflection in the back, far smaller and out of focus than even the bouffoons and the servants. THAT was a big deal taking into acoount that previously other artists were expeled from the Court for far smaller reasons (Like Diego de Quevedo, a poet and writer who almost died in poverty several times because he just keep hitting is satire at the royals and the church). Velazquez did a very risky gamble here but his work was as innovative and ground-breacking (breaking of the 4th wall included, no pun intended) and also he had so many friends in the court that it appearently went just fine at the end. But Inquisition was around, so you know... and there are even more small things, just say, the video didn´t addressed them properly. But this painting IS very important and controversial, indeed a big deal
Right, should have just called it influential rather than controversial. I'd buy it being influential if this was among the first "slice of life" court paintings
Yeah, I can think of far more controversial paintings. The painting that Prince Albert commissioned of Queen Victoria was scandalous. There was one of Winston Churchill that was hated so much his wife destroyed it. These "modern art" paintings are very controversial. And what about the paintings H*tler created?
Diego Velazquez is one of my most favorite artists. The one work I'm always drawn to is the painting "Juan de Pareja" which hangs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
This is total master piece, to which the computer screens do no justice. Las time I visited my sister in Madrid, Spain, we visited the Prado museum and had the priviledge of looking at this from 10 feet away, again, you have to see the real thing to appreciate the art on this canvas, will never forget that day. Same day we visited the museum of "Reina Sofía" and they had Picasso's "La Guernica" display, what a weekend I had!
I also saw it as a child, in 1956. As I recall, the guide told us the story that the king was so impressed with the painting, that he painted in the cross of knighthood himself. That's probably apocryphal, but it is an awesome work of art.
What a fantastic breakdown. I've seen many breakdowns of this painting, and no two of them are alike... People always find new things in it, and I think that's one of the reasons it's a masterpiece. So much to learn from one still image
A amazing portrait painting. The concept of time travel was known back then. So this being done by this particular portrait painting is incredible.
The artist : it's just a daily painting The art critics : this is an absolute piece of art that change how the art world works
Velazquez has always been one of my favorite artists..his portraits are exquisite and lifelike.
In the Spanish serial "El Ministerior del Tiempo", Velázquez is, indeed, a time-traveller, helping the agents and travelling with them in diverses adventures. I mostly recommended it.
Loved that series!
That's a terrible series. Poorly written and poorly acted. Most of the plot lines make absolutely no sense. Plus the Spaniards have portrayed their history in a more positive, less controversial light, particularly as it relates to their partnership with Germany in World War II. Even in spite of that, the show is dumb, boring, and low quality. I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy.
@@RickAg29 Black legend 🗿 🚬
@@RickAg29 You can't be more wrong. I guess it's because you have no idea about the history of Spain (which is the same as saying about Universal History). That series is terrible precisely for the opposite of what you say. Because it is the perfect example of how a country can fully accept the propaganda that its enemies have managed to filter as historical fact. The Spanish Nation has been suffering the consequences (social, economic, political...) of that shit for 300 years.
Came here to mention that. Not only is Velazquez one of the time travellers, but the painting itself becomes part of the story because one of the 'doors' leads into the room where it was painted.
I’m so glad I found this video! Thank you for making this! I love art history
I have stood in front of this marvelous painting in the Prado. I have always felt so privileged to know that I have stood in front of some of the world’s greatest paintings there in Spain & in many other countries. Privileged AND humbled.
The princess is the focus. It's a time machine because childhood is a trip through time, and she is the "mirror image" of her parents. It's a play on words, and cool yes, a snapshot representing us as kings.
I think you’ve put your finger on it Jolt Jolt.
If i ask my elementary school students what they see first - 100% will say the dog 🐕 😄
Ever since i first saw this painting in the late 1990s I've considered this the greatest painting I ever saw, I'm not an art critic but the concept of it really impressed me.
when you are up close to the canvas it is nothing but paint strokes step back and its a photograph the most amazing art i ve ever witnessed
I just saw this painting like a week ago The museum also has The other Mona Lisa, and all of the notable Goya paintings, This painting is also Huge, truly contributing to the feeling that you are looking into the past The museum commentary actually brings up the theories about the knighthood emblem, Particularly the one being that the king had it painted on when he received the honor, it even words it as though the king painted it on himself,
Ah, por favor, a mention please of an even more controversial painter/painting 'Hieronymus Bosh's The Garden of Delights'.
@@ZingaraJoe A fascinating painting!
I think he painted the King of Queen waking in on him working on ideas with the kids and servants lounging about, but not particularly painting anything really. Rather it was to show an intimate and loving view of their family. Probably for the King and Queen to look back lovingly throughout their lives. Their version of one of the pictures of a family portrait album.
I always loved this painting! I never heard of it being controversial. I always thought of it being more mystical/mysterious.
I have seen Las Meninas twice in the Prado. I also wrote a dissertation on the painting as part of my Fine Art/Art History degree at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK. I wondered if the red cross was added afterward because Valesquez was prevented from getting his 'Donship" owing to having a Sephardic connection in his family. He had to go to Rome to clear this up. This painting is a total masterpiece both in terms of its form and conceptual; richness. One of the greatest paintings ever produced.
I think this was the painter's inventive way of getting a family portrait without the formality found in other royal family paintings. Depicts an informal moment of the princess with the parents, nursemaid and other members of the 'inner circle'.
I think the little princess was the focal point of the painting. I think she was the main subject of the painting also, and everything in it relates to her. Those were the people and things that surrounded her and were molding her to be a certain way. I don't think we're supposed to be the parents reflected in the mirror. I think the mirror is reflecting their presence, making us see the circular 3D aspect of the painting, and suggesting that even if we can't see them right in front of us, that we know they are always present in what is going on in the princess's life. And maybe the doorman has some meaning... about the future for the little girl, and the doors that will open for her. I don't think they're all looking at us. I think they're looking at her parents.
Peri Willow, And you, as well as any one else, have that right. Just as i have yet another differing opinion . . .
@@fjb4932 I find his opinion the best so far, what is yours?
Wow I really like this perspective that you painted (pun intended 😁)! I've heard a lot on this painting and I've never heard anyone describe it as a 360° painting. Very good analysis.
aaaa i love this theory!!
I like your perspective too
I like the basic interpretation that it's sort of a tongue-in-cheek portrait of the king and queen - the painting he's working on within the painting is a portrait of the king and queen, and the painting WE see is what was going on in front of the king and queen while they're being painted. All those royal portraits are so, um... regal and calm, so it's a joke that this portrait that's supposed to be of the royal couple reveals the chaos and normal daily life they have. I guess we'll never know for sure.
The painting is a masterpiece. I once read a transcript of a hypnotic regression, which the subject remembered being the maid of the Infanta Margarita (the central figure in this painting). The subject described a horrible sea trip to England, terrible weather, sea sickness and a fever in England, which I think the maid died from.
Thanks, Chris, for reminding us of the notion of reincarnation as a real and important phenomenon in human ancestry and history. The evidence is overwhelming and explains so very much about us!
@@marktwain368 Yes, it's very interesting when facts are discovered *after* the person 'remembers' some fragment of an earlier life. The book that interested me was 'More Lives Than One', by Arnol Bloxham. I can't remember if the story above was from that, but at the end of the book, at least 2 pieces of new information came to light during publication which showed that the 'memories' couldn't have been just fantasy.
In my historic fashion studies, I have seen this painting often. Thank you for explaining how complex this painting actually is! I learned something new. ~ Anastacia in Cleveland
I was surprise no mention of the dog. With it's dignified stature I wonder if Velazquez was also showing the respect he had for all members of the royal family. Through this respect is how he earned his Knighthood rather than sinister or evangelical avenues.
Such a beautiful and crazy painting. I found myself puzzled at first by the mirror depicting the king and queen? And then you look at the painter themself whom appears is actually painting the King and queen and the painting is reflected in the mirror behind. This is such a mind journey because its a painting of a painter, who has painted himself into the painting of the whole Royal Court whilst painting the King and Queen and everyone coming and going in his studio at yhe time. Sheer pandemonium and I love it
Wow ! The comment section is as interesting, fascinating and inspiring as the video itself. I am here in Germany want to send all my love to You , beautiful art-lovers from all over the world.
Wonderful information about a painting that I only learned about through this video! Thank you for sharing!
Everyone going nuts over the composition, meanwhile I am here appreciating how well painted the dog is.
I believe it is noted how realistic the fur on the dog it. I saw this impressive painting in Spain in 2017. I remember this from the audio. In person, the dog is incredibly real.
I was also admiring how incredibly realistic the dog looks. Also, what intrigued me at first glance, is Velazquez's facial expression. A sensitive, dreamy, somewhat mysterious depiction of himself. This magnificent painting is truly a masterpiece.
This was a great vid. My exposure to some (much) of the worlds great paintings has come through these types of vids on KZhead. Many of the paintings - the various vids actual “subjects” I have been aware of from one degree to another, but this painting is totally new to me. I’ve gone to my desktop with the extra large monitor, to view this painting at length. I LOVE it! My new fav! It’s fascinating! I believe the subject of the artist within this painting, to be the scene itself - with the mirror on the rear wall reflecting the K&Q as an EXCUSE to be capturing this, seemingly random family scene. It’s photographic qualities are implied, only. And it’s so full of motion, and devoid of it at the same time. A true masterpiece! Even for this modern “country boy” Thanks!
I agree with your comment about travelling back in time; this was a comment I would use when going to galleries with students of mine. And observing the old masters is just that: their record of their times and events.
This one time I took like 10 grams of mushrooms over at this friends house. They had a large poster of this painting on their wall. It totally entranced me... I almost felt like I was getting lost in the painting and the gentlemen walking through the door in the back was inviting me to go through with him.
What an engaging thing to do while on mushrooms. And that gentleman is the doorway he was and still is beckoning you to go with him.
A perfect time to view 'Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Delights'.
@@kevingossett8881 and what if you went through? And never came back? What if psychedelic hallucinations are moments where the Unseen is seen and are entrances/portals to other worlds? Hmmmm.
I did a lot of research on Las Meninas for a screenplay I wrote, which I'm turning into a novel. Your commentary is insightful and shows a grasp of the subject. Velasquez reaches out to us through the veils of time and includes us the viewer into the painting. It's a 2 dimensional representation of a 3 dimensional subject. It is president as it's like a snap shot and a hologram at the same time. Resent research says he used a camera obscura, which only deepens the mystery. And did you know there are two Las Meninas? I hope someday I can see the painting in person.
@JinxI would argue your first point. V. was Had a preternatural vision of the future. And I meant prescient. It was very early when I wrote this. Cheers!
Velazquez, with 2 z.
@@Kakonan I see I've succeeded in smoking out the internet pedants. My work here is done.
@@chieromancer Don't get angry, madam. Javier is right. If I wrote that I'm writing a novel about Bill "Klinton" or Barak "Ovama," I would not call anybody "pedantic" for correcting me. Good luck on your novel, Ms.
@@AlejandroLopez-ed8kj It seems like you are the one who is angry. If you can't understand the difference between a finished, edited manuscript and a hastily-typed early morning youtube comment, nothing can be done for you, sir.
I need to know more about the dog. Great video! I've never been one too interested in art history, but this kept me well engaged! Lots of interesting content!
I read the dog was a present from the English royals
I've never seen this painting before today. It is so intriguing and beautiful.
I find the "mirror" the more interesting focal point in the piece. It draws a sense of wonder and interest to the figures in it. Another similar piece that I don't recall the name of has a mirror as well, and mirrors the scene of a wedding proposal. The interesting thing is there is a figure in the mirror not in the scene. I think artists at this time wanted to explore and paint more realism to the things around them, instead of the traditional norms expected by this time. Maybe its we still talk about it as it was different from what was being shown in the same period.
The Arnolfini Portrait
@@vladimirvlad2563 My favourite painting. No matter how many times I look at it, I can find something new every time. The detail is incredible.
Are you referring to the Arnolfini Portrait by Jan Van Eyck? I just took an art history class this last semester, and my professor posited that Las Meninas was partly inspired by the Arnolfini Portrait for it's use of a mirror in the background.
There was a really great graphic novel published in France in 2019 that ends with a fanciful depiction of the circumstances of this painting. It was called Les Indes Fourbes, by Alain Ayroles and Juanjo Guarnido. The way the story connects with the painting is really clever. It's also beautifully drawn. (Note: It's available only in French so far, but it's possible to read it (mostly) even if you don't read French using a smartphone and something like the Google Translate app.)
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Mark, I am the 1st space traveler and the proof is in my photos on my facebook page as my 8 year old draws in 2001 what spits from my face July 2015. The "Drawing" is a record of Time Travel and if you watch it long enough, it will move, and when it does, it has you, and you are now in JUMANJI.
Why was my Grandfather Homer Jaycox, life long fishing buds with Dwight D? Was Homer's Grandfather Rip Van Winkle? Who goes missing for a year May 2, 1960 from Glenville NY where all Antarctic Missions start, the day after our U-2 is shot down over the USSR? Me Me Me. I have no memory of becoming 8 years old, or the entire 2nd grade. I woke up a year after I fell asleep one night.
I'm a tracked A.I. from the future, your James Cole of "Twelve Monkeys" and only I could tell you the secret precursor to the 1962 THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE is the 9-3-60 Twilight Zone. nana nana.
@@markjaycox8811 dude, are you okay? The original comment made Sense... Everything that you've replied has been complete and utter non-applicable nonsense. Go find something useless to post your useless crap on. Don't trash on someone's completely comprehensible comment.
For me, ever since I saw this painting for the first time I have always found it to be very oddly composed? It is as if the artist very cleverly wanted it to look unbalanced on purpose? As if it is supposed to look like a snapshot? A random section being cut out of reality. What I’m referring to is the largest part of the painting being in such a deep shadow and all the ‘action’ and light taking place at the bottom third of the canvas. The arrangement of people seems inharmoniously placed, except for the painter himself and the man in the doorway at the back. Im convinced that Velasquez knew exactly what he wanted to tell with this unique composition and I’m guessing he wanted to portray ’real life’ as opposed to all the very carefully crafted traditional portraits he was usually commissioned to produce. If my guess is right his attempt is one of the first snap-shots of reality, at least in a royal setting, that was produced a few hundred years before the camera was invented. Mind you, the camera obscura technology was already known at his time in history. So maybe this is an attempt to replicate an camera obscura impression? But why incorporate so much of the upper part of the dimly lit room and ceiling? Unless he wanted to show the total height of the canvas to the left that he was working on it is hard to figure out why so much is mostly hidden in darkness in this composition? Maybe it is what’s hidden or lurking in the darkness that’s the real interest to the painter? The rest is maybe just an amusing distraction, perhaps? My conclusion; for being a snap-shot it is a very carefully crafted riddle that Velasquez wanted to present for the viewer to solve. Hence, it still fascinates people today and raises all sorts of speculations and interpretations. Its ambiguity is its strength and will remain an enigma in the minds of future generations of viewers like a particularly insistent inch!
Thanks for the lesson, to make this more interesting. I saw this in November, and though I know very little about art, it affected me in a way few paintings have. I couldn't take my eyes off it.
It may seem silly, but I'm sorry you didn't mention another of the characters in the painting: the dog
the dog is said to be the only one not looking at someone.
The dog is actually God, but because the e whole painting is a mirror reflection God = dog
@@DaP84 if only the painter knew English...
@@razzmatazz1974 in his biography it says he recieved good training in languages and philosophy. Also says his parents taught him to fear God
@@DaP84 - As they say, "beware of dog/god fo eraweb".
No matter what people say about this painting it is indeed a masterpiece. 🙂
Amazing work! His talent is right up there with the best.
That is exactly what most usually say, that it is indeed a masterpiece!
I’m just impressed how many perspectives and clues there are in the painting.
It's an amazing piece, studied it for college paper. Reminds me of Jan van Eyck's Arbolfini Portrait.
a subtle rendition by Goya is his painting of the whole spanish royal family in his time where he painting himself in the backgroung in "kind of" the same posture as Velazquez. Also this painting is literally a masterpiece in the sense we see Velazquez masterful dominating lights and shadows. Just look at the way the ligth comes through the large windows. We can see the dust coming from them.
I spent hours looking at this painting as a child in a big coffee table about the History of Art. I did not know it has fascinated many other more eminent people than am I. Thanks for the Rabbit Hole
@Jinx thankfully, it was a big one.
🤣 a big coffee table book!! A very old fashioned thing where wonderful pictures can be looked at without a screen and returned to time and again perhaps inspiring a new generation of artists. Or just the wonder of how artists work.
I’ve been on the ground floor of many big iconic culture YT or essay channels just as much as I came late when they were in the millions and impressively slick n confident. The algo brought me here. This feels different. You’re a vet. But this is new. This is watershed. I’m gonna binge it and guess
We studied it in class and we were lucky enough to see it in person that same course on a field trip (you have to see it if you have the chance, and read about the history of the characters and the time before doing it, it is literally a time portal). To say that seeing the painting is very impressive. No wonder it is one of the most famous works in the world. What I liked the most, is Velazquez's look and gesture. It is difficult to explain. As for Velazquez, his work is incredible and knowing the time in which he lived through his paintings is a journey through the history of Spain. Of course with Goya the same thing happens. Greetings from Spain, good video. ps: The portraits of Queen Mariana of Austria are also hardcore for my taste.
There is certainly a lot going on here and I'm thoroughly enjoyed this lecture. I wish we knew more about the little princess, personal story then and as she grew older, and he did not talk about the meaning of the princess in the painting!
I believe that the painting is meant to show the room from the perspective of the royal couple. Perhaps the reason the court jesters are painted in a natural style is because the royal couple is supposed to view the scene like a mirror: the group that has gathered to entertain them represents love, creativity, loyalty, wealth and other good things, and like the mirror on the wall, these good values and fine characters too are reflections of the royal couple. The mirror on the wall is just a clue; the people present are the actual mirror. Therefore it would not compliment the couple to show anything grotesque in the scene and for this reason the characters that would otherwise be the "odd ones out" are shown in a respectable manner.
From how the composition is done its definitly the Royals getting a portrait painted and the kinds come visit their parents and are just about to leave. The paintings in the painting beeing dark shows that the part were the royals are is indeed a mirrior showing them. Increadibly bolt painting especially for its time. Epic piece.
When i do photography i get as many "candids" as i can vs formal posing...also we tend to forget little details throughout the day vs the actual event...this is an awesome snapshot
I’ve always thought this is the most fascinating composition in the history of painting. Kind of a mind F to think we, the viewer, are also the perspective of Valasquez.
The picture is meaningless, or as I observed above it does not even exist if you, me, or someone else does not look at it.
Although I am not an "art person" , your thumbnail's title intrigued me. Now after the video and reading some of the comments , I understand the appeal of this painting...the hidden clues and ultimate statement are rewarding !!
I think this painting is a collaboration of ideas between the princess and the painter. It is known that the princess and the painter had a great relationship and she enjoyed watching him paint. He asked her "what would you like me to paint and who would you want to include in the painting". Something to that affect. And as most people know children, have some different/grand ideas often. She said EVERYONE, I want to be in it and her parents, the dog, and everyone else including you and I want it to be GIANT! LOL. So the painter said "huh, how can I include myself? ". And this is what he came up with. The princess is the focal point of the painting! She's posing and she's lighter in color (as if a spotlight was on her). The dwarfs were painted the way the princess viewed them. We all know children are innocent and they didn't believe the dwarfs/servants were inferior. They were taught that. That explains why the painter didn't morph or change their faces like every painter would in this time period. The painter was brilliant! I can see him explaining this painting to the king and queen. He would have said, " ok this is what I'm going to do......" So he is painting the King and queen. The mirror shows their reflection.
The Prado is a world treasure. Grateful to have seen this.
I remember in my art history class we spent like almost 2hrs straight talking about this one painting. And the lore behind it is cool and all but can’t say it’s my favorite controversial painting
The most intriguing part of the painting to me is the mirror showing a very rudimental image of the king and queen. If it's a reflection of the canvas being worked on,what happened to the finished painting? Was it usual for a king and queen to be depicted looking so " unroyal" Do the brush strokes match the usual " finger print" of the artist?
Mirrors in the past probably gave a worse image that mirrors of today.
The details put into this painting marvelous intriguing and worthy of study
Thank you, for offering this excellent presentation. I discovered your channel today. Best wishes for every success.
Really cool content. Have subbed, look forward to seeing more like this :)
Back in the spring of 1660 Diego Velazquez himself, wandering the streets of Madrid incognito, started the rumor that his painting was mysterious and even controversial--though he too neglected to say why it should be controversial. Over time the rumor of mystery and controversy turned into a rumor of greatness, as sometimes happens, and the rumor spread far and wide and has persisted to this day. It is considered to be the painter's greatest achievement... the rumor, that is, not the painting.
Actually many critiques consider it his magnum opus, which is completely subjective much like your long winded comment.
Yes nothing really mysterious or unique about the painting itself, it's just people sucking upto old elitism. The good things about the painting are the perspective, composition and choice of subjects.
@@DukeMundi I let some air out of my comment. What do you think?
@@ronagoodwell2709 I was about to say... This is far from a long winded comment. The info you shared was really interesting though, rumors of it being controversial back in the day for a vague and mysterious reasons make this video title seem less like clickbate.
@@navneetyadav7139 Sorry to disagree but i think you couldn't be more wrong. It is not only the elements of composition the thing that make grate that canvas. As said in the video, one of the ideas of Velázquez is the time. But not as a time travel to us, to see how was the live in that era. It was a frame (never said better) of time itself. Like a photograpy. You see, the painting is not meant to be watch by some jerk in the 2022. It is meant to be seen for King Felipe IV, who was very concerned about the pass of the time... In that way Velázquez treats the infirmity of the king by stoping time to him. Not only this is the idea of the photography waaaay earlier than the first appearence, but it is the confirmation that the art, through the racional, tecnical and philosophycal tools that we have can transform the mutable becomig of things into the eternal idea that underlays in it. Making art not only a "time machine" but what's more... a remedy for the soul. I hope i made my point clear and i wish you all a great day!
A lot of people have over thought this lovely painting. It's really quite simple when you look at it, because everyone is doing what they usually do in it.
Thats badass. Never heard of it until now and blown away by all the recreations.
I have never heard anyone interpret a painting like this before. This video certainly brought a new appreciation to medieval art. Very Good!!!
Renaissance era.
Neither Medieval nor Renaissance, but Baroque.
@@andrewtime2994 Baroque 🤣
Well now I'm sitting here studying the details for clues like sherlock holmes. I think its a mirror. First of all, such a large mirror would be a novel thing in itself for that time, so the painter thought it would be clever and unique to paint the reflection. The mirror is slightly elevated off the ground, perhaps explaining why the dog isn't looking at itself. The light from the window is bouncing off the mirror to hit the back of the canvas. If the view were that of the king and queen, then the attendants wouldn't be looking directly in their eyes, would they? No I think the attendants who don't often see giant mirrors may be mystified by it. The princess has her head turned but is looking directly at the mirror because she's critiquing her own profile, as people do when they are examining themselves in the mirror. The miniature copies of real paintings in the back tell me he was challenging himself by replicating them through a distant mirror. He added in the painting of the king and queen since they weren't present for the portrait, or maybe its a painting that has been since lost. The painter's palette and the size of his canvas match the painting itself, right? He's 100% painting what he sees in a mirror. Case closed.
I had never heard of that painting before. It is both intriguing and beautiful.
These artists were so brilliant and ahead of us
Just a couple of thoughts regarding Valazquez and his masterpiece. He has been and remains my favorite artist because he, above others, seemed to capture a moment in his paintings. His subjects do not seemed posed and settled, but appear to me to be in the act of preparing to pose. if that makes sense. His paintings are familiar, in the strict meaning of that word - I do not feel that I am looking at a portrait, I am actually in the room with that person, shoulder to shoulder with the artist. As to Las Meninas, I think the key to what he is portraying lies with the size of the canvas on which he is working. I think it is too large a surface for a simple portrait of the royal couple. It has always seemed to me that his vantage point is from behind the couple and of the entire room and only includes himself in the painting as an afterthought, perhaps to illustrate that he is a member of the court as well.
You say it nicely...'preparing to pose'. Your assessment explains the 'here-and-now' sense the painting gives us.
You failed to mention that you can personly buy this painting in the game Animal Crossing New Horizons, I have it on display in my museum in the game along with other great works.
Are you joking
@@georgeiii2998 Yes I was joking but it is true though.
Yes, the Solemn Painting. The counterfeit version has the figure in the door with his arm higher.
@@RHM087 And in the 3DS game, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, the counterfeit has an adult princess who is as tall as her handmaidens.
The narrator failed to mention the MOST MAGNIFICENT figure in the painting… … the doggo. He’s a very good boy.
Outstanding painting couldn’t take my eyes from it.