BAROQUEBAROQUEthethe 17th century and in certain areas much of the 18th 17th century and in certain areas much of the 18th

centurycentury About 1600 when Rome re-emerged as the centre About 1600 when Rome re-emerged as the centre

of the art worldof the art world)) Counter-Reformation- movement Counter-Reformation- movement within the Catholic church to revitalize the church within the Catholic church to revitalize the church and to oppose Protestantism.and to oppose Protestantism.

1618- 39 year war, 1620 Mayflower reaches 1618- 39 year war, 1620 Mayflower reaches Plymouth rock. 1666 Great Fire and Plaque of Plymouth rock. 1666 Great Fire and Plaque of LondonLondon

This movement was encouraged by the Catholic This movement was encouraged by the Catholic Church, the most important patron of the arts at Church, the most important patron of the arts at that time, as a return to tradition and spirituality.that time, as a return to tradition and spirituality.

Baroque style very emotional, appealing to the Baroque style very emotional, appealing to the senses, often in dramatic wayssenses, often in dramatic ways PowerfulPowerful grandeur, sensuous richness, drama, vitality, movement, grandeur, sensuous richness, drama, vitality, movement,

tension, emotional exuberance, and a tendency to blur tension, emotional exuberance, and a tendency to blur distinctions between the various arts distinctions between the various arts

Highly competent at drawing and painting the human Highly competent at drawing and painting the human figure at every anglefigure at every angle

Produced complicated perspectives and used colour and Produced complicated perspectives and used colour and value contrast with easevalue contrast with ease

Caravaggio (1573-1609)Caravaggio (1573-1609) Media- Media- oil on canvasoil on canvas Major Style and Major Style and

Contribution to ArtContribution to Art The immediacy of his The immediacy of his

mature paintings was mature paintings was achieved by:achieved by: Increased dramaIncreased drama Unidealized, realistic Unidealized, realistic

representation of people representation of people and still life (warts, dirty and still life (warts, dirty fingernails and all) fingernails and all)

intense and theatrical intense and theatrical lighting (use of lighting (use of Tenebroso), Tenebroso),

larger than life larger than life proportions, proportions,

strong foreshortening,strong foreshortening, crowding his significant crowding his significant

figures into an extremely figures into an extremely shallow space thus shallow space thus capturing the attention capturing the attention of the spectator.of the spectator.

Judith Beheading Holofernes c 1598 (oil on Canvas)

He had many encounters with the He had many encounters with the law during his stay in Rome. law during his stay in Rome.

He was imprisoned for several He was imprisoned for several assaults and for killing an assaults and for killing an opponent after a disputed score opponent after a disputed score in a game of court tennis.in a game of court tennis.

Caravaggio fled the city and kept Caravaggio fled the city and kept moving between hiding places. moving between hiding places. He reached Naples, probably He reached Naples, probably early in 1607, and painted there early in 1607, and painted there for a time, awaiting a pardon by for a time, awaiting a pardon by the pope. Here there was a in his the pope. Here there was a in his painting style. The dark and painting style. The dark and urgent nature of his paintings at urgent nature of his paintings at this time must have reflected this time must have reflected Caravaggio's desperate state of Caravaggio's desperate state of mind. mind.

Early in 1608 Caravaggio went to Early in 1608 Caravaggio went to Malta and was received as a Malta and was received as a celebrated artist. Fearful of celebrated artist. Fearful of pursuit, he continued to flee for pursuit, he continued to flee for two more years, but his paintings two more years, but his paintings of this time were among the of this time were among the greatest of his career. After greatest of his career. After receiving a pardon from the receiving a pardon from the pope, he was wrongfully arrested pope, he was wrongfully arrested and imprisoned for two days. A and imprisoned for two days. A boat that was to take him to boat that was to take him to Rome left without him, taking his Rome left without him, taking his belongings. Misfortune, belongings. Misfortune, exhaustion, and illness overtook exhaustion, and illness overtook him as he helplessly watched the him as he helplessly watched the boat depart. He collapsed on the boat depart. He collapsed on the beach and died a few days later beach and died a few days later on July 18, 1610. on July 18, 1610.

Goliath is a self portrait- supposedly sent to the Pope when asking his forgivness while he was in Naples

He was criticized during the He was criticized during the counter reformation because counter reformation because he showed ordinary people he showed ordinary people among saints, or religious among saints, or religious figures in common earthly figures in common earthly settings, at this time settings, at this time paintings were supposed to paintings were supposed to be of important religious be of important religious figures as ideal examplesfigures as ideal examples

The first artist to refuse to The first artist to refuse to differentiate between the differentiate between the appearance of saints and appearance of saints and sinnerssinners

Rejecting Mannerism's Rejecting Mannerism's artificiality and the artificiality and the idealization favoured by idealization favoured by classical artists, Caravaggio classical artists, Caravaggio modeled saints and apostles modeled saints and apostles on peasants and showed on peasants and showed their dirty feet. Legend their dirty feet. Legend claims that the model was claims that the model was Lena a former prostitute Lena a former prostitute loved by Carrivagioloved by Carrivagio

Madonna di Loreto. c.1603-1606

the friars found it alarming, because the Madonna was modelled on a prostitute with whom Caravaggio was in love (according to Mancini), because her legs were exposed (Baglione), because her swollen body was too realistic (Bellori) - for whichever reason, they felt prompted to reject it. After Caravaggio had left Rome, Rubens urged his master, the Duke of Mantua, to buy it.

The Death of the Virgin1606Oil on canvas, 369 x 245 cmMusée du Louvre, Paris

Above her stands the young, Above her stands the young, mourning St John the mourning St John the Evangelist who had been Evangelist who had been given special charge of her; given special charge of her; in front, the seated Mary in front, the seated Mary Magdalene stoops forward Magdalene stoops forward and almost buries her head and almost buries her head in her lap. in her lap.

In the predominant colours - In the predominant colours - red, orange, dark green - red, orange, dark green - Caravaggio uses a slightly Caravaggio uses a slightly wider range than in his later, wider range than in his later, darker Roman paintings, but darker Roman paintings, but nowhere else did he achieve nowhere else did he achieve a mood of such a mood of such overwhelming solemnity. overwhelming solemnity. Mary's companions, her Mary's companions, her Son's followers, are struck Son's followers, are struck dumb by their grief, like dumb by their grief, like relief sculptures on antique relief sculptures on antique tombs. There is no tombs. There is no suggestion that their sorrow suggestion that their sorrow will be turned into joy or will be turned into joy or that Mary will be assumed that Mary will be assumed into heaven. into heaven.

ttenebroso enebroso oror tenebrism tenebrism - Tenebroso is an Italian - Tenebroso is an Italian word, literally meaning dark and gloomy. Both word, literally meaning dark and gloomy. Both tenebroso and its English equivalent, tenebrism, refer tenebroso and its English equivalent, tenebrism, refer to a style of painting characterized by high contrast to a style of painting characterized by high contrast between light and shadebetween light and shade -- -- emphasisemphasis placed on placed on chiaroscuro to achieve dark, dramatic effects. chiaroscuro to achieve dark, dramatic effects. Frequently the main subjects of tenebrist pictures are Frequently the main subjects of tenebrist pictures are illuminated by a single source of light, as if a spotlight illuminated by a single source of light, as if a spotlight shone upon them, leaving other areas in darkness. shone upon them, leaving other areas in darkness.

Doubting Thomas. 1602-1603

The Calling of St. Matthew. 1599-1600.

foreshortening

The Entombment (detail)1602-03

Bernini (1598-1680)Bernini (1598-1680)Country- Italian Country- Italian

Media- - Media- - considered a Renaissance man- considered a Renaissance man- sculpture, painter, architect, stage designer, sculpture, painter, architect, stage designer, dramatist, and composerdramatist, and composer

Major Style and Contribution to ArtMajor Style and Contribution to Art Magnificent piazza in front of St. Peters Magnificent piazza in front of St. Peters

(trapezoid to oval space surrounded by (trapezoid to oval space surrounded by massive Doric columns with an obelisk in the massive Doric columns with an obelisk in the centrecentre

Bernini was, after all, the sculptor most Bernini was, after all, the sculptor most responsible for making Rome a city of responsible for making Rome a city of fountains,fountains,

Bernini brought to sculpture a sense of Bernini brought to sculpture a sense of drama and naturalism, and launched the drama and naturalism, and launched the daring enterprise of capturing in stone daring enterprise of capturing in stone frozen moments of human bodies in motion.frozen moments of human bodies in motion.

Interesting FactInteresting Fact-The son of -The son of a Florentine sculptor, a Florentine sculptor, Gianlorenzo Bernini was one Gianlorenzo Bernini was one of the most outstanding of the most outstanding infant prodigies of all time. infant prodigies of all time. He had mastered the He had mastered the techniques of sculpting techniques of sculpting marble while still a child, he marble while still a child, he carved the infant Zeus with carved the infant Zeus with pets when he was just 13 pets when he was just 13 (some sites say 17).(some sites say 17).

Probably carved around 1610 when the sculptor was twelve years old, the bust of Santoni demonstrates an ability to fashion works that more mature rivals would have envied.

depicting the chaste nymph Daphne depicting the chaste nymph Daphne being turned into a laurel tree, being turned into a laurel tree, pursued in vain by Apollo god of light. pursued in vain by Apollo god of light.

This life-size marble sculpture, begun This life-size marble sculpture, begun by Bernini at the age of twenty-four by Bernini at the age of twenty-four and executed between 1622 and and executed between 1622 and 1625, has always been housed in the 1625, has always been housed in the same room in the villa, but originally same room in the villa, but originally stood on a lower and narrower base stood on a lower and narrower base set against the wall near the stairs. set against the wall near the stairs. Consequently anyone entering the Consequently anyone entering the room first saw Apollo from behind, room first saw Apollo from behind, then the fleeing nymph appeared in then the fleeing nymph appeared in the process of metamorphosis. Bark the process of metamorphosis. Bark covers most of her body, but covers most of her body, but according to Ovid's lines, Apollo's according to Ovid's lines, Apollo's hand can still feel her heart beating hand can still feel her heart beating beneath it. Thus the scene ends by beneath it. Thus the scene ends by Daphne being transformed into a Daphne being transformed into a laurel tree to escape her divine laurel tree to escape her divine aggressor. aggressor.

Apollo and Daphne1622-25Marble, height 243 cmGalleria Borghese, Rome

The Rape of The Rape of ProserpinaProserpina1621-221621-22Marble. height 295 cmMarble. height 295 cmGalleria Borghese, RomeGalleria Borghese, Rome

The large marble group of Pluto and Proserpina shows Pluto, powerful god of the underworld, abducting Proserpina, daughter of Ceres (Greek Demeter), the goddess of harvest and fertility. By interceding with Jupiter, her mother obtains permission for her daughter to return to earth for half the year and then spend the other half in Hades. Thus every spring the earth welcomes her with a carpet of flowers.

In this group Bernini develops the twisting pose reminiscent of Mannerism, combined with an impression of vital energy (in pushing against Pluto's face Proserpina's hand creases his skin and his fingers sink into the flesh of his victim). Seen from the left,

The Ecstasy of The Ecstasy of St. Teressa St. Teressa (1645-1652)(1645-1652)

Mystic event Mystic event involving St. involving St. Teressa, who Teressa, who believed the believed the pain in her side pain in her side was caused by was caused by an angel of God an angel of God stabbing her in stabbing her in the side with a the side with a fire-tipped fire-tipped arrowarrow

The Spanish nun The Spanish nun swoons in swoons in heavenly rapture heavenly rapture at the point of an at the point of an angel's arrow.angel's arrow.

Floats on a Floats on a marble cloud that marble cloud that seems suspended seems suspended in the airin the air

Rays of Rays of glimmering glimmering bronze shower bronze shower down upon her down upon her (he had a hidden (he had a hidden window to let in window to let in real lightreal light

With half-closed eyes and a With half-closed eyes and a half-open mouth, the Saint half-open mouth, the Saint sinks in a trance. sinks in a trance.

A shudder seems to pass A shudder seems to pass through her cloud-borne through her cloud-borne body, and beneath the body, and beneath the crushing folds of the cloak crushing folds of the cloak her hand and foot hang her hand and foot hang down limply. down limply.

The similarity between this The similarity between this mystical ecstasy and the mystical ecstasy and the ecstasy of profane love has ecstasy of profane love has often been pointed out; but often been pointed out; but the connection is literally the connection is literally made in the Saint's own made in the Saint's own account of her vision, account of her vision, which Bernini followed which Bernini followed closely. closely.

Windows concealed in a Windows concealed in a little dome diffuse a golden little dome diffuse a golden light down the gilt bronze light down the gilt bronze rays and over the Saint rays and over the Saint and angel, enhancing the and angel, enhancing the supernatural atmosphere supernatural atmosphere of the vision. of the vision.

Jan Vermeer (1632-1675)Jan Vermeer (1632-1675)Country- Holland-DelftCountry- Holland-Delft

MediaMedia- oil on canvas- oil on canvas Major Style and Contribution Major Style and Contribution

to Artto Art Use of light and realistic colourUse of light and realistic colour He noticed colours from one He noticed colours from one

object can be reflected in other object can be reflected in other parts of the roomparts of the room

Interesting Fact-Interesting Fact- Artist Artist featured in the movie ‘Girl with featured in the movie ‘Girl with the Pearl Earring’. Not well the Pearl Earring’. Not well known in his day. known in his day.

It was believed he used a obscura It was believed he used a obscura to achieve his realism . This was to achieve his realism . This was like a camera- having lens and like a camera- having lens and mirrors which would project a mirrors which would project a reduced image onto a flat surface reduced image onto a flat surface that an artist could tracethat an artist could trace

Johannes Johannes Vermeer, Vermeer, Woman Holding Woman Holding a Balance,a Balance, c. c. 1664, 1664, National Gallery National Gallery of Art, of Art,

Light flows from a Light flows from a window, window, accentuating a hand, accentuating a hand, a sleeve, a face.a sleeve, a face.

It washes across the It washes across the wall, revealing a wall, revealing a painting of the Last painting of the Last Judgment. It Judgment. It shimmers across shimmers across gold and pearl gold and pearl jewellery and jewellery and creates soft creates soft shadows. shadows.

In the center hangs In the center hangs a balance, empty but a balance, empty but for the light itself.for the light itself.

Wide range of values Wide range of values and tones, use of and tones, use of ChiaroscuroChiaroscuro

CompositionComposition the vanishing point- meet precisely at the vanishing point- meet precisely at

the woman's finger. The frame behind the woman's finger. The frame behind her reinforces this focus. her reinforces this focus.

The balance point of the scales is The balance point of the scales is exactly at the center of the painting. exactly at the center of the painting.

Symbolism:Symbolism: light- and spiritual enlightenmentlight- and spiritual enlightenment mirror.- a frame on the wall contains a mirror.- a frame on the wall contains a

mirror, art often symbolize vanity or mirror, art often symbolize vanity or self-knowledgeself-knowledge

Pearls and jewelery- associated with Pearls and jewelery- associated with vanity and worldly concerns, earthly vanity and worldly concerns, earthly possessions, they can also represent possessions, they can also represent puritypurity

balance- the empty scale stresses that balance- the empty scale stresses that she is balancing spiritual rather than she is balancing spiritual rather than material considerations. Vermeer's material considerations. Vermeer's portrayal does not impart a sense of portrayal does not impart a sense of tension or conflict, rather the woman tension or conflict, rather the woman exudes serenity. Vermeer's point is that exudes serenity. Vermeer's point is that we should lead lives of moderation with we should lead lives of moderation with full understanding of the implications of full understanding of the implications of a final judgment .a final judgment .

the Last Judgment-, Christ judges the souls below in this violent and fearsome final reckoning of mankind. The woman's head obscures the place where Saint Michael customarily would be weighing souls in the balance. The figure of Christ appears immediately above the woman's head, reinforcing the interpretation that her mundane act is intended to parallel the weighing of souls in The Last Judgment.

The Milkmaidc. 1658Oil on canvas, 45,5 x 41 cmRijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Rembrandt van Rijn Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)(1606-1669)

MediaMedia- oil on canvas, etching- oil on canvas, etching Major Style and Contribution to ArtMajor Style and Contribution to Art Greatest Dutch painter, specialized in Greatest Dutch painter, specialized in

portraits and history paintingportraits and history painting Artwork showed compassion and sympathy Artwork showed compassion and sympathy

for humanity, often showed reflective and for humanity, often showed reflective and quiet momentsquiet moments

Paintings with deep brown and gray Paintings with deep brown and gray shadows relieved by a single highly lit areashadows relieved by a single highly lit area

Use of chiaroscuro, master of lightingUse of chiaroscuro, master of lighting Revolutionized group portraits, in a Revolutionized group portraits, in a

composition instead of a posed lineupcomposition instead of a posed lineup

Interesting Fact- Interesting Fact- Had great wealth, lost Had great wealth, lost his patrons (probably due to his his patrons (probably due to his arrogance and temper) became bankrupt, arrogance and temper) became bankrupt, yet during this time his paintings became yet during this time his paintings became stronger and more powerfulstronger and more powerful

-hard times in his life 3 of his 4 children -hard times in his life 3 of his 4 children died before the age of two, his wife died died before the age of two, his wife died 6 months after giving birth to their only 6 months after giving birth to their only living child ‘Titus’. Titus died before living child ‘Titus’. Titus died before Rembrandt when Titus’s new wife was Rembrandt when Titus’s new wife was pregnant (they were only married a few pregnant (they were only married a few months). Rembrandt died 6 months after months). Rembrandt died 6 months after his grandchild’s birth and his daughter-his grandchild’s birth and his daughter-in-law died 2 weeks later. in-law died 2 weeks later.

-women problems- had an affair with his -women problems- had an affair with his Titus’s nurse whom he gave away some Titus’s nurse whom he gave away some of his sons inheritance, lost a palimony of his sons inheritance, lost a palimony court case to her, lived in common law court case to her, lived in common law with another woman, who protected him with another woman, who protected him after he became bankrupt, but died in a after he became bankrupt, but died in a plague.plague.

His many self portraits tell of the His many self portraits tell of the progress or decline of his lifeprogress or decline of his life

-Left 600 -Left 600 paintingspaintings, 300 , 300 etchings, etchings, 2000 2000 drawingsdrawings

The Night Watch (1642) The Night Watch (1642) 11.5’ x 14.25 ‘ 11.5’ x 14.25 ‘ (3.5 x 4.37 m) Oil on (3.5 x 4.37 m) Oil on

Canvas Rijksmuseum, AmsterdamCanvas Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The Night Watch, the most famous painting in the The Night Watch, the most famous painting in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

The picture is a militia painting: a group portrait of a The picture is a militia painting: a group portrait of a division of the civic guard. division of the civic guard.

Rembrandt depicted the group of militiamen in an Rembrandt depicted the group of militiamen in an original way. He did not paint them in neat row or original way. He did not paint them in neat row or sitting at their annual banquet, rather, he recorded a sitting at their annual banquet, rather, he recorded a moment: a group of militiamen have just moved into moment: a group of militiamen have just moved into action and are about to march off. action and are about to march off.

The contrasts between light and shade in the painting The contrasts between light and shade in the painting enhance the feeling of action and movement. enhance the feeling of action and movement. Rembrandt has used the fall of the light to focus Rembrandt has used the fall of the light to focus attention on the most important figures: the captain and attention on the most important figures: the captain and the lieutenant.the lieutenant.

The names of the eighteen militiamen portrayed in the The names of the eighteen militiamen portrayed in the painting are on a shield above the gate. A company painting are on a shield above the gate. A company comprised more members, but only those who paid were comprised more members, but only those who paid were included in the group portrait. Not all were happy included in the group portrait. Not all were happy especially if their face was not clear.especially if their face was not clear.

The drummer was hired and was therefore allowed to The drummer was hired and was therefore allowed to be in the painting for free. Rembrandt added the others be in the painting for free. Rembrandt added the others to enliven the painting.to enliven the painting.

The militiamen in the Night The militiamen in the Night Watch are called Arquebusiers Watch are called Arquebusiers after the arquebus, a after the arquebus, a sixteenth-century long-sixteenth-century long-barrelled gun. Rembrandt barrelled gun. Rembrandt worked the traditional emblem worked the traditional emblem of the Arquebusiers into the of the Arquebusiers into the painting in a natural way: the painting in a natural way: the girl in the foreground is girl in the foreground is carrying the main symbols:carrying the main symbols: She is a kind of mascot in herself: She is a kind of mascot in herself:

the claws of the chicken (1) on the claws of the chicken (1) on her belt represent the her belt represent the 'Clauweniers'- Arquebusiers; 'Clauweniers'- Arquebusiers;

the pistol (2) behind the chicken the pistol (2) behind the chicken stands for 'clover'; stands for 'clover';

moreover, she is holding the moreover, she is holding the militia's goblet (3).militia's goblet (3).

The man in front of her is The man in front of her is wearing a helmet with an oak leaf wearing a helmet with an oak leaf - a traditional motif of the - a traditional motif of the ArquebusiersArquebusiers

The Jewish The Jewish Bride (1667)Bride (1667)

An elegantly An elegantly dressed man dressed man and woman and woman are in a are in a vague, dark vague, dark room. room.

The man has The man has lovingly lovingly placed his placed his arm around arm around the woman's the woman's shoulder and shoulder and a hand on her a hand on her breast.. breast..

Very carefully she touches his hand with her fingertips. Very carefully she touches his hand with her fingertips. Both are staring straight ahead, they seem deep in Both are staring straight ahead, they seem deep in thoughtthought

It is one of the most famous and mysterious paintings It is one of the most famous and mysterious paintings in the museum's collection. The naming of the picture in the museum's collection. The naming of the picture is unclear. It is clearly a couple, although who they are is unclear. It is clearly a couple, although who they are is not clear. The faces appear to be portraits, but the is not clear. The faces appear to be portraits, but the clothes are unusual for the time. Perhaps they were clothes are unusual for the time. Perhaps they were contemporaries of Rembrandt's who posed as contemporaries of Rembrandt's who posed as characters from the Bible.characters from the Bible.

Compare the warmth between these two Dutch newly wed couples

1666

1434

Bathsheba or Ester

National Gallery of Canada

Doctor Nicolaes Tulp's Demonstration of the Doctor Nicolaes Tulp's Demonstration of the Anatomy of the ArmAnatomy of the Arm.. 1632. Oil on canvas. Mauritshuis 1632. Oil on canvas. Mauritshuis

Museum, The Hague, Holland.Museum, The Hague, Holland.

Man in a Man in a Gold Gold

Helmet.Helmet. c. c. 1650. Oil 1650. Oil

on canvason canvas

AristotlAristotle e

Before Before the the

Bust of Bust of Homer.Homer. 1653.1653.

HendrickjHendrickje Bathing e Bathing

in a in a River.River. 1654.1654.

Diego Rodriguex de Silva y Diego Rodriguex de Silva y VelazquezVelazquez

CountryCountry- Spain- Spain MovementsMovements-. Baroque -. Baroque MediaMedia- oil on canvas- oil on canvas Major Style and Contribution to ArtMajor Style and Contribution to Art Painted mostly portraits, he was interested Painted mostly portraits, he was interested

in what was real far more than what was notin what was real far more than what was not Like Veneer fascinated by the quality of lightLike Veneer fascinated by the quality of light Spots, patches of colour and light are used to Spots, patches of colour and light are used to

define forms, line was seldom useddefine forms, line was seldom used Interesting FactInteresting Fact- court painter in Madrid - court painter in Madrid

for 39 years painted the Spanish court of for 39 years painted the Spanish court of King Philip IVKing Philip IV

THE FAMILY OF PHILIP IV, OR THE FAMILY OF PHILIP IV, OR THE MAIDS OF HONOUR THE MAIDS OF HONOUR ("LAS MENINAS)"("LAS MENINAS)"

The words "meninos" or The words "meninos" or "meninas" referred to the young "meninas" referred to the young court companions of the court companions of the monarch`s children .monarch`s children .

The Infanta Margarita, the The Infanta Margarita, the heiress to the throne at that heiress to the throne at that moment, is the central figure of moment, is the central figure of the piece. (along with her pet, the piece. (along with her pet, her two favourite dwarfs ?, and her two favourite dwarfs ?, and her adult chaperones).her adult chaperones).

his painting is considered one of his painting is considered one of the greatest achievements in the greatest achievements in universal art, one of the reasons universal art, one of the reasons for which is its remarkable for which is its remarkable treatment of spatial treatment of spatial perspective. He was able to perspective. He was able to create the illusion of the real create the illusion of the real space that they occupied in his space that they occupied in his studio.studio.

Velázquez appears to be Velázquez appears to be expressing his face in the expressing his face in the continuity of that Spanish continuity of that Spanish Dynasty including a self-portrait Dynasty including a self-portrait as he stands before a canvas on as he stands before a canvas on which he is painting a portrait which he is painting a portrait of King Philip IV and Mariana of of King Philip IV and Mariana of Austria, which can be seen Austria, which can be seen reflected in the mirror in the reflected in the mirror in the background. The device of background. The device of showing actual figures in lifelike showing actual figures in lifelike rooms traces back to van Eyck, rooms traces back to van Eyck,

In this masterpiece, Velazquez In this masterpiece, Velazquez employs a mirrored image in a employs a mirrored image in a manner similar to Van Eyck's manner similar to Van Eyck's Arnolfini portrait. As court Arnolfini portrait. As court painter to Philip IV at Madrid, painter to Philip IV at Madrid, he is seen working on a large he is seen working on a large canvas executing a full canvas executing a full portrait of the king and queen. portrait of the king and queen. They are seen reflected in a They are seen reflected in a mirror behind Velazquez. This mirror behind Velazquez. This suggests space behind the suggests space behind the viewer of the painting. The viewer of the painting. The man in the open doorway man in the open doorway suggests space beyond the suggests space beyond the canvas. Thus we find ourselves canvas. Thus we find ourselves in an extended space new in in an extended space new in the history of painting. the history of painting.

Also, this painting achieves its fame through the Also, this painting achieves its fame through the artist's ability to capture a fleeting moment in time, artist's ability to capture a fleeting moment in time, depicting efforts to console the little princess depicting efforts to console the little princess Margarita while she poses. In addition, Velazquez Margarita while she poses. In addition, Velazquez portrayed members of the royal court in a manner portrayed members of the royal court in a manner devoid of flattery. devoid of flattery.

What is she looking at? What is he painting? Who is What is she looking at? What is he painting? Who is he looking at? What’s the story? How many spaces he looking at? What’s the story? How many spaces in this picture?in this picture?