Velázquez's Masterpieces: Innocent X, Las Hilanderas, and Las Meninas

Portrait of Pope Innocent X

This Baroque oil on canvas, painted around 1650, is a portrait located in Rome. During his second stay in Rome, Velázquez painted the Pope, demonstrating a loose technique and an exceptional ability to represent the psychological features of the sitter. The Pontiff himself recognized this mastery. The painting represents the Pope seated in a chair, dressed in white lace. Different shades of red are spread throughout the composition: in the chair, in the papal chasuble, and in his hat. The Pontiff holds in his hand a sheet of paper containing Velázquez's request. The portrait highlights the natural, incisive, and overwhelming face of Pope Innocent X.

Las Hilanderas (The Spinners or The Fable of Arachne)

This Baroque oil on canvas is housed in the Prado Museum and depicts a mythological subject. Velázquez re-enacts the fable of Arachne. In the background, the scene represents the moment where Minerva will punish Arachne for reflecting weaknesses in her tapestry of the gods, resulting in her transformation into a spider. Meanwhile, in the foreground are the workers of the workshop.

The painting highlights the masterly treatment of light and aerial perspective, as well as the representation of the spinning wheel in motion. The scene is divided into two main parts:

• The first area shows the spinners working in action with their instruments.
• The second area is a kind of stage where three women note with interest the figures of Athena and Arachne.

These two reading levels are the most important aspect of the picture.

Las Meninas (The Family of Philip IV)

This Baroque oil on canvas, dated 1678 (though often cited earlier), is located in the Prado Museum and is a collective portrait. It is the portrait of the Infanta Margarita, attended by her meninas (maids of honor). This is a group portrait in which the painter was able to perfectly capture the atmosphere enveloping the characters.

Many interpretations have been proposed to resolve the meaning of this painting. The most accepted theory is that Velázquez is painting a portrait of King Philip IV and Queen Mariana of Austria, who are reflected in the mirror at the back. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to accept the theory that Velázquez is painting the scene of the meninas itself, perhaps wanting to pay tribute to his profession as a painter.

The center of the painting is occupied by the Infanta Margarita, served by her two maidens:

• Doña María Agustina Sarmiento (to the left)
• Doña Isabel de Velasco (to the right)

Next to Doña Isabel is the dwarf and a midget. Behind the main group are two guardians, a boy and a lady. Finally, in the background of the painting is the palace chamberlain, José Nieto Velázquez.