Diego Velázquez's "Ladies and Gentlemen" hides a mystery that even Picasso could not solve.
Over 360 years ago, one of the most intriguing works in art history was created, and despite the passage of time, it continues to be reinterpreted. Diego Velázquez's "La Masone" had a profound influence on Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Velázquez, through his use of illusion in painting, created a painting that has more than one meaning and tells more than one story. Interestingly, the viewer, regardless of age or era, also participates in it.
"Ladies and Gentlemen" was painted in 1656 by one of Spain's most distinguished painters, Diego Velázquez. The artist was the court painter to King Philip IV, responsible for portraits of the monarch and members of his family. It was the king himself who commissioned Velázquez to depict this scene. However, "Ladies and Gentlemen" is not a typical portrait, although it may appear so at first glance.
Diego Velázquez was valued for his faithful depiction. He was able to accurately depict not only the subjects of his works, but also their clothing and surroundings. Long before the Impressionists, he meticulously studied the effect of light on the perception of color and texture, thanks to which we can see the figures' illuminated hair and shadows in his works. However, what is most fascinating is a certain philosophical experiment. The painter left a certain conundrum regarding the subject matter in the painting, a question that experts debate to this day.
Las Meninas - 1656 - Diego Velazquez - Madrid, Museo Del Prado / Getty ImagesVelázquez's painting has more unknowns than knowns. However, there are facts that form the backdrop to the story, deliberately obscured by the painter. The canvas itself is quite substantial (318 by 276 cm), which is still smaller than the original version. In 1734, due to a fire, it was necessary to cut 50 cm off each side of the work. Velázquez painted the portrait in oils on canvas. Initially, the work was titled "Her Majesty the Empress with the Ladies-in-Waiting and a Dwarf," and after the fire, it was renamed "The Family of King Philip IV." Only in 1843 was it renamed "Les Meninas," or "The Ladies of the Court," by the Spanish artist Pedro de Madrazo.
What is in the painting? At first glance, the answer seems very simple: the royal family in a typical courtly setting at the Alcázar Palace in Madrid. The work's focal point is the 5-year-old Infanta Margarita Teresa, accompanied by two ladies-in-waiting , Isabel de Velasco and María Agustina Sarmiento de Sotomayor. One of them offers the girl a jug of drink. Alongside them are two dwarf figures, characteristic members of royal courts at the time. In the background, we see Marcela de Ulloa, the girl's guardian, and an anonymous bodyguard. The court steward, José Nieto Velázquez, is depicted in an open doorway, in a rather "dynamic" manner, leaving one guessing whether the figure is entering or leaving the chamber.
Finally, to the left of the work stands Diego Velázquez himself, holding a brush and palette, working on a massive canvas. The painter looks directly at the viewer, as if contemplating the figure opposite. Two keys are attached to his belt: one to the king's private chamber, the other symbolizing his position as chamberlain. On his chest glistens the red cross of the Order of St. James —a symbol of membership in one of the most prestigious chivalric organizations in Spain. Interestingly, at the time the painting was created, Velázquez was not yet a member. He was officially admitted to the order only two years later, in 1659, thanks to the personal intervention of King Philip IV, who sought this for his court painter. The cross appeared in the painting after the artist's death, most likely at the behest of the monarch, who highly valued his work.
The final detail in this work is the mirror hanging behind the girl. In its reflection, we can see King Philip IV and Queen Maria Anne.
Las Meninas - 1656 - Diego Velazquez - Madrid, Museo Del Prado (fragment of the painting) / Getty ImagesIn truth, Velázquez's painting is one endless enigma . It's not a typical portrait, but a dynamic collection of emotions, relationships, and movements. The work deviates from rigid frameworks and standards, and the painter doesn't adhere to the rules of perspective. Thanks to illusionistic "tricks," it's impossible to fully guess what's actually depicted in the painting. Over the centuries, several hypotheses have emerged that allow for a better understanding (or complete misunderstanding) of what the Spanish artist meant when he created "Ladies and Gentlemen."
Las Meninas - 1656 - Diego Velazquez - Madrid, Museo Del Prado (fragment of the painting) / Getty ImagesThe royal couple's reflection is visible in the mirror in the background. One theory suggests that the artist depicted in the painting is in the process of painting their portrait. This would suggest that the Infanta is gazing at her parents, much like Velázquez's figure. The artist depicts the monarchs through the eyes of their daughter, creating a multi-layered portrait of the royal family.
The mirror technique is reminiscent of Jan van Eyck's famous solution in the "Arnolfini Portrait" (1434), known to Velázquez from the royal collection. This mirror image of the royal couple not only enhances the play of perspective but also introduces symbolism. In fact, it's difficult to guess whether the mirror reflects the king and queen posing for the artist, or perhaps a reflection from a painting hanging opposite it.
Velázquez's Self-PortraitSome art historians believe the painting is actually a self-portrait of the painter, reflecting his prominent position at court. The artist himself was not bold enough to portray himself in the same portrait as the monarch, so he employed a mirror technique to maintain a coherent composition.
The viewer "in the picture"Velázquez's work consciously "draws" the viewer into the painting. Anyone who looks at it can feel like an integral part of it. This is all thanks to the painter's gaze, which allows us to "take the place" of the king and queen. Velázquez blurs the line between the beholder and the beholder.
Las Meninas - 1656 - Diego Velazquez - Madrid, Museo Del Prado (fragment of the painting) / Getty ImagesOne of the painting's greatest mysteries is what Velázquez is painting, immortalizing himself in the painting. The question arises whether the artist is actually immortalizing the royal family, or perhaps what we see in the painting is what is actually on his canvas? If the artist is indeed painting "Ladies and Gentlemen," then we are dealing with a painting in a loop, a kind of visual paradox.
Great Artists and the Mystery of "The Ladies of the Court"Without a doubt, "La Maids of Honor" is one of the most appreciated icons of art in the world. In 1957, Pablo Picasso created a series of 58 reinterpretations of the painting, transporting the classic figures into the world of Cubism. Salvador Dalí also paid tribute to the Spanish master, painting a surrealist version in 1958, "Velázquez Painting the Infanta with the Lights and Shadows of His Glory." Manolo Valdes has also been creating a series of sculptures dedicated to Infanta Margaret , which we recently admired in the gardens of Wilanów Palace, in conjunction with an exhibition preceding the Great Charity Auction organized by Omena Mensah and Rafał Brzoska.
Opening of the exhibition of the Great Charity Auction 2023 / press materials
