Humanties_Primary_Source

Humanties Primary Source Analysis of Art “The Maids of Honor” by Diego Rodriguez de Silva Velasquez is a canvas painting created in 1656-57. This piece of art is rather dark, Velasquez is controlling what it is that you see. He uses natural light such as from a window and shows how some parts of a room may be seen and other parts not. We see three maids of honor dressed in elaborate clothing preparing for a painted portrait. Servants are also in the room assisting with the activity. The artist has painted himself in the picture along with the King sneaking a peak at the preparations. Everyone seems to be looking in your direction to infer that you are in the picture or they are looking in to a mirror. As an observer of this painting I feel that a very important activity is taking place. The use of straight lines have made the figures of importance very clear. These lines are somewhat defined leaving a crisp picture. I feel this picture is very direct in imaging but confusing of what is happening. The use of color is very calm, cool and kind of vivid, picture, painting, very, feel, artist, room, question, looking, able, velasquez, trying, shows, seems, parts, painted, natural, maids, lines, light, honor, creates, confusing, color, canvas, being, art, activity, yet, window, whole, vivid, viewers, viewer, view