Exploring Art: Las Meninas.

[dasr77]

Video perfecto, de imágenes claras y detalles magníficos…y musica apropiada, enhorabuena keitel10

[jumatri]

La teología de la pintura.

[andeaver1937]

I heard recently an excellent explanation of LM, saying it was an allegory of the Spanish Empire during this time(mid 1600's, when Philip IV was in power) how it was fading away, all Spanish power and influence was disapearing. The reflection of Philip and his queen in the mirror is nothing but a ghost of an image.

One of my most favorite artworks of all time. thx for posting this =]

[hcanuck7]

Catchy tune - seriously!

[mastinman68]

and monet said the painters painter and picasso try painter and dali its the best atmosfere of painter

[polymath7]

Velasquez's powers of observation and economy of means are about a hair's breadth short of superhuman.

Just from his sketchily indicated self-portrayal in the background, I fancy myself able to imagine, vividly and accurately, how the man moved, what expressions would be apt to come across his face in various situations, and even how he spoke.

This seems to me nothing less than an entire temperament indicated with a couple dozen strokes.

[anzdf]

Excelente, me gustan mucho los close ups de la obra.

felicidades por el video.

[meesterschilders]

placed into my playlist of Diego Velazquez, thanks

[portugal81]

just artist can read a artist mind for me the frulcal point in the paint is the Man in the steeps nobody seems to notice but there is 6 steps so theres two readings of that view the road to heaven is made in the hell of the man "world" or he doenst like that person and hopes he goes to hell because something he as done but he when see the painting and manby he is powerfull in the King court he thinks the painter is paiting him going to heaven

[hcanuck7]

When I look at this work, I wonder if the room still exists. Also I think of the "Arnolfini 'Wedding'"

[naufragor]

Yes, the room existed, but no longer, it was at the Alcazar Palace, that was destroyed by the fire at 1734. It´s quite right the painting remembers you "The Arnolfini Portrait", because it was in possesion of the Spanish Royal Family from 1516 to 1813

[rtms1988]

Wonderful painting, I love spanish painters Juan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and so many... and this music is so cute, I love this rhythm, it' so soft, calm.

[polymath7]

In rereading my initial post I wince a little, as I was dead-tired when I wrote it and now notice several awkward elisions and mis-spellings. I mention this only because I can well imagine some incensed admirer of Foucault seizing upon the opportunity to highlight my errors.

[eskoeerola]

You have to see this painting more often and read e.g Michel Foucaolt. Happy learning.

[nochnoipetux]

This is what I find to be the problem with 'fine art' education - I think its a bit of a contradiction in terms that one needs to read anything to be able to appreciate any form of visual art - the work has to stand on its own, without any art-historian, or worse, curatorial writing to back it up. In art history classes people are taught how to NOT use their eyes.

As to Foucault, I am actually planning on reading him very shortly (though certainly not for his insight into Velasquez's work).

[polymath7]

nochnoipeteux, I closely agree with you as regards fine art education, but I could differ from you more widely in your assessment of Las Meninas, which I am often tempted to conclude is he single greatest painting in western art (other candidates of which I am fond are Titian's Flaying of Marsayus, Matisse's Le Joi de Vivre). As for Foucault, I can assure that the only real reason to read this egregious, cuckleheaded impostor is so you can speak from an informed position when you dismiss him.

[nochnoipetux]

The Flaying of Marsyas is one of my absolute favourite paintings! I really like Titian's last pictures.

As to Velasquez's work, and more specifically his larger compositions, I am a very big fan The Spinners.

[polymath7]

I particularly admire Titian's later pictures as well (like Matisse, De kooning, and Hoffmann, he seems to me to have done his best work very late in life) and to suggest, as some have, that their loose handling and inchoate brushwork are the result of fading powers (to me this is something akin to dismissing Matisse's guoache cut-outs) is an excellent way to get me to ignore whatever one says subsequently. As for The Spinners, I'm rather awed this painting myself, despite its poor condition.

[eskoeerola]

One of the best paintings in European art.

[nochnoipetux]

Why? Is that something you heard "someone smart" utter in a book, or maybe a professor say?

p.s. I have actually seen this painting in real life this past winter, and I must say that compared with Velasquez's other work in the Prado I did not find it very interesting at all. There are some amazing portraits that he's done that are much more impressive. This picture is just big, that's all.

[polymath7]

I don't say this pointedly or truculently, but rather in earnest and genial curiousity- which of Velasquez's pictures do you find "much" more impressive than Las Meninias?

[diversRcheats]

Thank you for posting this. A painting of enormous historic value.

"The only beyond in Las Meninas is through the open door" J Carroll Quote.

[erzbet07]

Wonderful! As much as I've loved the various art videos I've seen on YOUTUBE, I've always longed to see DETAILS of the painting up close. Your video perfectly explores that possibility with great transitions from image to image. Music was terrific also. Thank you!

[lucasgorla]

there is an interesting passage in MIchel Foucault's Les Mots et Les Choses about this painting. Sort of a philosophical interpretation of the work done by Velasquez and what it would evoke.

[rastudio1]

Enchanting ! Ladies-in-waiting and images of the King and Queen reflected in the mirror.

[dragonmaster1991]

lol las meninas, my art teacher is a dumbass, she always makes a big deal about pronouncing it.