Artist: Diego Velazquez
Date: 1656
Size: 318 x 276 cm
Museum: Museo del Prado (Madrid, Spain)
Technique: Oil On Canvas
Size, Media and Date
Las Meninas, also known as The Family of Philip IV, is a masterpiece created by the renowned Spanish artist Diego Velazquez. This oil on canvas painting measures 318 x 276 cm and was completed in 1656.
Location
Currently, this magnificent artwork is housed at the prestigious Museo del Prado (Madrid, Spain). The museum boasts an impressive collection of European paintings, sculptures, and prints with a particular focus on Spanish artists.
Description
Las Meninasis considered one of the most important paintings in Western art history. It features the five-year-old Infanta Margaret Theresa surrounded by her entourage, including maids of honor, a chaperone, bodyguard, two dwarfs, and a dog. In the background, Velazquez portrays himself working on a large canvas while looking outwards beyond the pictorial space towards the viewer. Additionally, a mirror in the background reflects the upper bodies of King Philip IV and Queen Mariana, placing them outside the picture space in a position similar to that of the viewer. Las Meninas has been widely analyzed for its complex and enigmatic composition, which raises questions about reality and illusion. It is recognized as Velazquez's supreme achievement and a highly self-conscious, calculated demonstration of what painting could achieve. This masterpiece offers an intriguing glimpse into the life of the Spanish court during the reign of King Philip IV.
More Information
To learn more about Diego Velazquez and his other works, visit our dedicated artist page: Diego Velazquez. For additional details on the Museo del Prado (Madrid, Spain), explore our museum page: Museo del Prado (Madrid, Spain). Discover our handmade oil painting reproductions and print on canvas of this famous artwork: Las Meninas or The Family of Philip IV by Diego Velazquez. Sources:
Artist |
|
|---|---|
Download |
|
Permissions |
Free for non commercial use. See below. |
 |
This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired. However - you may not use this image for commercial purposes and you may not alter the image or remove the watermark. This applies to the United States, Canada, the European Union and those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 70 years.
|
Note that a few countries have copyright terms longer than 70 years: Mexico has 100 years, Colombia has 80 years, and Guatemala and Samoa have 75 years. This image may
not be in the public domain in these countries, which moreover do not implement the
