The Maids of Honor

by Velasquez

There is so much to see in this painting! At first we notice Princess Margarita and her young friends. There are many other faces in this picture too. On the left we see the painter himself - looking right at us. He is holding his paint brushes. The long shape on the left of the picture is his canvas. To his left we see a dark frame with two faces in it. This is a mirror. These faces are the reflection of the king and queen. They are standing where we are (outside the painting). Is the artist painting us or the king and queen? No one knows for sure. Can you see the dog?

To see this picture more clearly, look for it in an art book about Velasquez. Your library should have a copy. This painting is also called "Las Meninas". If you visit Madrid, Spain, you can see it in person at an art museum named The Prado.

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