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"

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

I like the guy at the back doing a paintingbomb.

this painting is a close second to the dogs playing poker painting

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.

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

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

The first time I saw it in real life i was 7 years old. My mom always tells the story that I sat on the floor and stayed there for 35 min. I wouldn't want to leave and my mom didn't want to make me because she saw how fascinated I was with it. It's truly a master piece.

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.

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

Still waiting for the To Pimp a Butterfly analysis =P

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.

“See what my art can do, look to my canvas” I’m crying

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.

You need your own netflix original

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.

Before watching: Surely that's a subjective opinion, right? After watching: My brain hurts, I need to lie down.

I had the great honor of seeing this painting in the Museo Del Prado in Madrid, Spain

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

I love this painting. I spent hours looking at it as a child. I even dresses like the little girl for Halloween.

Amazing video. Thank you so much for it 🙏

For the english people confused by the lots of "Velazquez I am beautiful?" purposely written in bad spanish, there is a spanish trap videoclip featuring this painting about princess Margarita asking Velazquez if he finds her beautiful because she's obsessed about the idea that she might be so ugly that she will not get married.

Absolutely. This painting is what generated my interest in art. Seeing it in photos is like seeing your favorite food without ever having the experience of tasting it. Visiting Las Meninas at the Prado is a bucketlist-worthy item. It is amazing.

One thing’s for sure, it’s fails in comparison to Bold and Brash

I've always loved this painting. Your interpretation of it is astonishingly insightful. I've been a painter for forty years and realize how much I still have to learn.

Great analysis. Would love to see you take on Rothko.

Fascinating analysis. I wish that there were more UKposts channels that explored art and less minecraft and prank channels.

I saw this painting several years ago. It had attracted the largest crowd I.ve seen before a piece of art. It is the most memorable painting I.ve seen. There is such a great amount of detail it is amazing.

Valasquez was and is a genious

Don;t forget the door. It's like the "key" with it's 2-3-2-3 recessed pattern to pointing out the double triples.

Sometimes I get the feeling that if the famous painters of history would listen to modern art experts analyze their work they would be very confused.

Is the "male dwarf" really a dwarf or just a male child?

I've recently discovered "Nerd Writer", so I wanted to spend a few moments as well as words thanking you for the segments revelling facts upon many of the finest paintings in history, along with their creators. Being an aspiring writer, I'm wanting to absorb as much information as possible in the most condensed amount of time as to what most sources will allow, also there's the massive amount of enjoyment watching your videos. Excellent and by far one of my favorites to view combined with the educational aspects of watching makes me a dedicated "Nerd Writer Watcher!"

I was wondering why you kept calling that image of the king and queen a mirror. I always thought it was another painting. But then you showed the line of sight where the mirror might be reflecting from. Maybe the mirror is a reflection of the canvas Velazquez is painting on, explaining why they are surrounded in black. Or maybe it's the royal family's reflection, and they are having their portrait painted. Either way, it's almost as if Velazquez is telling the viewer that while the lives of monarchs can come and go, art can last forever. And as an artist, he can control a part of that history.

Okay, I'm at 1:56 and I'm already impressed. Not because the quality of the brush strokes, but because of the quality of the thoughts behind them.

I can add to this from personal experience on coming face to face with this painting that it shook me, literally & physically shook me. Something that I had never happened before, or since. This painting is so charged with energy as if it is performance art.

I had seen Las Meninas twice in the Prado and wrote a dissertation on it as part of the Art History course when I took a Fine Art degree at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne UK. This is a fascinating formal analysis of this masterpiece. I remember focusing on who is . the main focus of this painting.? Status had something to do with it as well, Valesquez became a 'Don' at the completion of the painting. There were issues with Valesquez having a Sephardic ancestry. The layers of the conceptual and formal in this work are astonishing. This is why this ranks as one of the world's greatest paintings. This is a true masterpiece. Thank you so much for posting this.

i remember my art teacher really focusing on this painting, couldn't quite remember why but this was a good refreshing

Excelent video! I am from Spain and I was lucky enough to see Las Meninas a few years ago at El Museo del Prado in Madrid. It is an enormous painting and really impressive. You did a great job describing and discussing Velazquez's work. :)

It's helpful that "nerdwriter" moves the various pieces and subjects of the painting around and highlights certain aspects of it for us. It allows for greater insight into the different angles, groupings, lines, color, light, depth, meaning(s), etc. All of his art videos are done really well.

I saw this painting in the Prado Museum in Madrid, it is incredible. I like to think that Velazquez is looking at us, the viewer, and in spite of the beautiful scene in front of him, he is painting his greatest masterpiece on the canvas that we only see the back of. He is painting us, the viewers, as we gaze upon this painting he captures the awe his art inspires in us. That's the masterpiece. That's what makes this piece powerful.

I don't know. I think the mirror is showing the king and queen posing, not the painting. I'm not an art historian or critique, but I think it is showing how lifeless portraits can often be, while life is playing itself out in the background in much more interesting ways. It's kind of like a meta-painting criticizing how posing for a portrait drains the life out of art, while spontaneity is alive all around. Probably completely wrong, but that's my interpretation.

What Velasquez is also saying this: look closely at what you are seeing. And also: look, but the eye can trick you. That is why you have the trick of the reflection of the painting he's working on and, if you notice closely, the dwarfs are painted in a more blurry fashion than the princess. They are out of focus slightly; the eye acts this way too when it sees. So, in the end, Las Meninas is about painting. But painting is about seeing. The painter can trick you into seeing things, but your mind tricks you into seeing things as well. Anyway, well done. I don't think you can get much better than Velasquez.

Truly a fantastic video, Sir, and a beautiful in-depth analysis of the painting. I’m quite sure that Señor Velázquez would have a bright smile on his face, seeing and hearing that his genius work has been not only recognized as such, but also thought about very seriously, deeply and respectfully and articulated so nicely. Excellent job, subscribed immediately, hope to see more such grand videos! 👍🏻✌🏻😇

I love the visual demonstrations that support your analysis!!

Before i finish your video i must say that this particular painting gave me the most chills i've ever had and not the good ones...I don't know why but it's so scary to me!

I don't know. You said a lot about it, but most of it didn't really seem to mean much. Maybe I just don't get this one.

In the 1990s I overheard a tour guide at the Metropolitan Museum in NY (in front of Velázquez Juan de Pareja), tell the following story, which I cannot confirm with precision: There was a meeting of museum directors at a museum in Europe with more than 100 members, and on the last day someone decided to play a 'game' of sorts, whereby each museum director would write a list of the 10 works of art they most desired for their collection, provided, of course their museum did not have it. In the end, there was was only one painting in everyone's list, except the Prado's director, and it was Las Meninas.

I am very curious about how did you learn to analyze paintings like these ! I have also watched death of Socrates on your channel and it was so mind blowing. I just want to know how an artist or suppose you are able to interpret art ? How can you be so sure that a painting is trying to interpret this only ? Please please please enlighten me about the questions i have asked!!!!!

You haven't seen _Las Meninas_ until you've seen at the Prado (Madrid). Monumental.

I love your voice what microphone do you use? Thanks a lot from a Spaniard with an Art History Degree

I lived in Madrid for 7 years and I have been in El Museo Del Prado several times, there are some beautiful paintings there!!!!

My favourite room at the Prado. Thanks for this fascinating look at a fascinating canvas.

12 subjects dude, don't forget the dog alright

weirdest commenters ever in this comment section

I went to the Prado Museum today... I stood 3 feet away from this masterpiece. It was unforgettable. I needed to come watch this again and thank you for such an amazing case study.

I saw this. They had it hung in its own room and it took up the entire wall across from the entrance. It is life size. The painting almost breaths. When I walked in I felt the urge to apologise because it pulls you in and you really feel like you just walked in on the screen. Closer the brush is mesmerizing. I didn't want to leave the room.

The rarest Pepe is the best Painting in history.

The variety in content is truly what separates your channel from everybody else. However, where the content may vary, the quality is undeniably fantastic.

This is a masterpiece , whether you like it or not. Valesquez is brilliant.

You didnt make any mention of the dog, thats true. I always wondered what made me like this picture so much, now I know, it plays with my eyes and brain.

I have a much deeper appreciation for art now. Also for the next video, can you do a piece on Hans Zimmer?

You didn't say that all their heads form the Corona Borealis constelation also known as Margarita, the name of the young lady.

Seeing this painting was a marvellous experience remembered for many years.Thank you for your analysis.

Stunning use of the medium to present this extraordinary painting so clearly.

El niño de Sevilla vino a subi el nivel.

Clad you are analysing paintings again :D Although i would like to see you analysing poems from T.S Eliot. :)

Saw these paintings today as I’m visiting Spain and I just had to go back and watch these videos :) made it much more exciting that I had heard his amazing analysis

Honestly, thank you for these art videos. They are eye openers into a world I’ve neglected for way too long due to lack of understanding. Thank you, really.

Wow this is a great analysis. I am currently in an art school so I knew about this painting, but we just had to learn the facts - who painted it and when.. it's a shame really, but I learned more about art from your videos than from the 3 and a half years of art high school. One of the greatest points of maturing as an artist is when you realise that art is more than just trying to perfectly draw something you see.

this has to be my favorite video on UKposts so far.

I was at the Prado a week back and honestly this video helped me gain some very new and unique insights into the painting, tysm!!!

I can't thank you enough for creating such a wonderful video. Thank you so much for your time and educating us on different aspects of painting.

you opened my understanding of painting and a whole different level of art, thank you!

This is certainly a painting of exceptional design and executed with masterful skill but I personally do not accredit it as preeminent amongst paintings. To me it is, through no fault of its own, caught in its own history. As a baroque painting, moving past the renaissance techniques, it lacks the expressive fluidity achieved by later paintings. This is all preference but the exact geometry of it makes it too posed. It is like a victorian photograph where everyone, even those in apparent motion, are rendered with a sense of permanency. They hold their positions for the painting rather than move through the painting. But this is all just me.

Today is Wednesday, November 1, 2023, I'm in Madrid, Spain on vacation and I just got back from the Museo del Prado Museum and I got to see this majestic painting. Wow! It's huge!!! Very beautiful work of art by Diego Velazquez.

Just found your videos today! N gotta say that you're the first to make me want to fully listen to the whole video! Love that you get to the point n give just enough info. if not all! To understand n comprehend the topic 💕🙌👏

I have visited the Prado Museum (Madrid), The Louvre Museum (Paris), The Vatican Museum (Rome) and would say; YES LAS MENINAS: IS THE BEST PAINTING IN HISTORY. Salutations from, USA.

there is a theory going around saying that they're actually all looking in a mirror

I liked this painting before, now its definitely own of my favourites. This analysis totally BLEW UP MY MIND. Thanks!

Just discovered this channel. I feel like this explanation made the painting come alive for me. Thank you.

So this painting is like when a rapper raps about how amazing he is at rapping?

Thank you. Sometimes, as an artist, I get a little frustrated with interpretations of an artist or writer's intention. But this, I understood and agreed. I would love to hear your take on his use of abstract brush strokes on the Princess' dress...

Well done on these art analyses. I’m not the type that sees all these things but I love when the real depth is revealed.

Las Meninas is a painting I could go on and on about after I learned about it in art history class. I saw it at El Prado a few years, which was a treat. I also saw Picasso's various renditions of Las Meninas in Barcelona on the same trip.

I'm in love with you? I came across your channel not 30 minutes ago because of your Prisoner of Azkaban video (my favorite HP movie) and then proceeded to watch the Inside Out video and then this one, and all I can say is wow. I'm amazed about the things you choose to talk about and how educated you are, and how much I agree with every single thing you say... i don't know, this never happens to me with youtubers, thank you for doing what you do! You just earned yourself a new subscriber!

Apart from his obvious skills at painting, I would like to remark that Velazquez started to portray people who were poor, had deformities o were simple people, not noblemen or monarchs, with the same detail, interest and delicacy as if they belonged to a high status. Here we can observe this as well, since there are two dwarves on the right sharing painting with the "infanta" Margarita and her parents, the King and Queen.

Interesting. There's so much in paintings that goes unnoticed. I see the '2 over 3 rectangles' pattern you describe in the paintings in the background is also echoed in the tiny patterning on the open door in the distance.

Saw it a couple of days ago in Madrid, stunning!

*You at **3:51**:* „What you might not have realized... *me:* *I HAVEN'T EVEN REALIZED WHAT YOU SAID UP UNTIL THIS POINT EVEN NOW THAT YOU SAID IT*

I never thought the things my senile art teacher was blabbering in 5th grade could be this fascinating

All these years later, I still come back to watch this once in a while, I really look forward to the next one in this series

Along with the tonal variations I’m also impressed with the focal variation in sharpness and softness of the various elements of the painting.

I do think this is one of the best paintings in history, glad that I found your video on this! :)