Art History and Velazquez
Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez is a painting with some puzzlement. It is hard to tell whether the painting is a Genre scene or a history painting. It could be both, indeed this is a painting of everyday life for this family, but it also documents a particular point in time for a well to do family. The painting takes place in the home of King Phillip IV. The focal point of the painting is his daughter princess Margharita. She is being attended to by a kneeling woman and surrounded by several others. (Adams 670) If you look closely at the canvas itself, you will notice that it looks to be divided into thirds. Now it could be an after effect form its recent cleaning or it has always been there on the surface. It is possible that the image is much more vibrant after its cleaning and the images in the background are blurry because of it. The Infanta is in the center of the painting and it dressed elegantly. Her maids that are surrounding her are dressed in the same manor suggesting wealth above the normal classes. The child has a look that reaches out side the canvas and draws the viewer into the action. The woman that is to her right is also looking in the same direction suggesting that she is actually looking at someone or somethin
The daily life of the family has been captured in the Baroque fashion. It is hard to tell who he is because he is in shadow. In the background, a doorway is slightly off center. The look on the child's face a look of pleasure. The painter to the left of the painting and to the right of the canvas is peering out at his subjects as if he is deducing what to do next. (Adams 671) The presence of a reflection creates a three-D space that extends the painting beyond the canvas. The dog however does not seem to be enjoying being kicked but he is simply enduring the child. The glare that is visible on the edges of the mirror proves that it is a mirror and not a painting. The two main one s are the windows that are to the right of the painting and the third is the doorway. Her hands are on the edge of her dress as if she is about to lift it and curtsey. The space is further exaggerated by the large canvas on the left of the painting that extends off the page and into our space. He is plainly dressed and does not really stand out at all.
Common topics in this essay:
Phillip IV,
King Queen,
Queen Infanta,
Diego Velazquez,
king queen,
mirror wall,
hard tell,
dog enjoying,
life family,
wall background,
everyday life,
left painting,
slightly maid,
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