Las Meninas: Is This The Best Painting In History?

SOURCES:

Joel Snyder and Ted Cohen, “Reflexions on "Las Meninas": Paradox Lost” Critical Inquiry
Vol. 7, No. 2 (Winter, 1980), pp. 429-447

George Bauer and Linda Bauer, “Portrait Practice In ‘Las Meninas’” Notes in the History of Art
Vol. 19, No. 3 (Spring 2000), pp. 37-42

Emily Umberger, “Velázquez and Naturalism II: Interpreting "Las Meninas" RES: Anthropology and Aesthetics
No. 28 (Autumn, 1995), pp. 94-117

Marian Ortuño, “Reading Las Meninas: An Ekphrastic Approach to Teaching Don Quijote” Hispania
Vol. 95,No. 4 (December 2012), pp. 681-697

Frederic Chordá, “Computer Graphics for the Analysis of Perspective in Visual Art: "Las Meninas", by Velázquez” Leonardo
Vol. 24, No. 5 (1991), pp. 563-567

Gregory Minissale, “Framing Consciousness in Art: Transcultural Perspectives” Rodopi (May 5, 2009)

[cabcab]

2hr ago, I was at the Prado Museum, in front of “Las meninas” . Took my headphones and watched this masterpiece listening to this awesome analysis. It was a “once in a lifetime” experience. Thanks for being there with me sharing this moment

[jamiliar]

Something I think he should have mentioned: At this time, painting wasn't seen as super honorable, (which was mentioned, ) but this painting is also marvelous in that it puts the painter and the monarchs in the same painting. To put them together in the same frame is to say they are equals; he managed to do that in a non-offensive way to the monarchs, and its truly a blast to think about.

[TheSludgeMan]

The "court official" standing on the threshold of the scene in the background is Jose "Nieto" Velazquez, chamberlain of the palace and thought to be one of Diego Velazquez's only close friends and confidantes during this period. They were fiercely competitive, applying for the same court positions throughout their shared tenure.

It's worth pointing that out because it helps us interpret the painting. He is painting all of the figures from his daily life into the same scene, making this a 'snapshot' of his life as much as the princess's. That Nieto is drawn as if a figure from a dream, haunting the ensemble, is not an accident. What that means exactly, is not certain. I think the manner in which he beckons us into the room beyond, out of the setting, speaks volumes, as well. It is actually a reproduction of a portrait of him, which Velazquez painted years earlier.

Another fascinating thing about this painting: x-rays revealed that Velazquez originally painted himself leaning towards the canvas, obscured from view. He later depicted himself standing proudly upright as we can see here. I think that was his way of reminding himself that he deserves proper status in the ensemble.

[slaveNo-]

sometimes in this situation i cant help but imagine the painter laugh from the grave and be like "what are you guys analyzing and interpreting, i just randomly made it that way because i liked the way it looks"

[paulstaker]

You sir must get like all the art museum chicks with this.

[mattfarr]

The way he’s looking at us while painting almost suggests to me that we are the king and queen and we are being painted and the reflection is what he’s painting, so I think both of your points are right at once

[everytimesummertime]

literally gasped when the thing about the mirror reflecting the canvas and not the viewer was pointed out. so, so good!!!

[FiveSigma]

I like the guy at the back doing a paintingbomb.

[chicobicalho]

A lot of people who have never seen this painting in real life don't understand why so many of us consider this to be the greatest painting in history. But there is one story that illustrates how important Las Meninas is. Back in the late 1970s, there was a large conference meeting at a museum in Europe, where more than 100 art museum directors from some of the greatest museums in the world gathered, from places such as the Louvre, National Gallery, Kunst, Metropolitan, Prado and many others. Someone came up with the idea for a game of sorts, whereby they would make a list of the ten paintings (not from their collections, of course) they would most like to have in their museums. The only painting picked by absolutely everyone, besides the Prado director, was Las Meninas.

[rudyrudiger]

I think the best part of the painting is how it seems to capture a moment as if it was captured by camera well before any images had ever been captured by cameras.

[Rog]

The main focus of the painting never got a mention?
I'm talking about the dog.

[malcolmharris]

The door itself is divided between panels of two and three, as well.

[sahara]

You're talking so clearly and slowly which is really helpful for me because English isn't my native ^^

[verynotreally]

The interpretation I agree with is that Valasquez is painting a royal portrait and the Infantata (and her entourage) has been brought in to amuse the king and queen as they spend hours posing. Those looking at the viewer are actually looking at the king and queen. I love this painting because it's such a unique, clever take on portraiture.

[GrexTheCrabasitor]

i just finished writing my damn paper on this and i see this.

[silvae]

The sensation you have when you are in front of the painting is that them all are watching you, you are the painting that they are observing. It was really an experience.

[nicolek]

the use of perspective to show himself painting the king and queen from the reflection is actually insane.

[altonsafe]

The door literally has 2 and 3 squares down in rows.

[Filmk]

Como española te agradezco que hayas elevado aún más esta obra haciendo un análisis tan bello y minucioso. Thank you on behalf of Spain for elevating this work by making such a beautiful and thorough analysis.

[josedacunhafilho]

I heard this story first hand from Philippe de Montebello. First he said Las Meninas was by far his favorite work of art ever made. Then he sold a story how in the 1970's there was a meeting of 100 or so museum directors (don't remember where...) and someone decided to play a game whereby each person would list 5 works of art they wished to have in their museum collection. Every one, except the Prado director, put down Las Meninas on her or his list, and it was the only painting that made everyone's list.