Framed Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez

Las Meninas by Diego Velazquez is one of the most studied and enigmatic masterpieces in Western art, Las Meninas presents a seemingly casual moment in the Spanish royal palace. At the center stands the young Infanta Margarita, attended by her ladies-in-waiting, while Velazquez himself appears at the easel, painting the very scene we observe. A mirror in the background reflects King Philip IV and Queen Mariana, suggesting they are the true subjects of the portrait—or perhaps observers like us. Through its layered perspectives, subtle lighting, and interplay between reality and illusion, the painting blurs the boundaries of artist, subject, and viewer, making it a cornerstone of Baroque art and a profound meditation on the nature of representation.