Las Meninas, translated from Spanish to mean Ladies in Waiting, is a 1656 oil on canvas painting. It was painted by Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez, a Spanish painter who was then the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV. He is considered as one of the most important painters of the Spanish Golden Age; a period where there was art and literature prospering in Spain. This master piece was what climaxed his notable work of painting the Spanish royal family, notable European figures and commoners. It is one of the most analyzed painting in the west and it is estimated to be 318 cm x 276 cm (125.2 in x 108.7 in) in dimension. It is located at the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
The oil on canvas as a medium is the use of oil in painting. It involves painting with pigments (a material that is affected by wavelength selective absorption and results into a change of color due to light reflected or transmitted) with drying oil acting as the binder. These kind of oils include oil extracted from poppy seed, linseed, safflower and walnut. The type of oil used determines the quality of the painting as it affects aspects like the yellowing effects or drying time. Several oil can be used in a painting since they contain different pigments and may result to specific desired effects required. The medium used is important since it gives a painting a particular consistency.
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Oil painting was first used between the 10 th and 15 th centuries by Indians and Chinese who practiced Buddhism. It became more popular during the Middle Ages as its exploration shed light to its numerous and diverse advantages. It was during the rise of renaissance that the oil painting technique is believed to have replaced tempera paints that were common in the majority of Europe. In recent oil painting however, water miscible oil paint has become more popular due to its ability to dry fast compared to the traditional oil technique. The process began with the artist sketching the subject on canvas by the use of charcoal or thinned paint. The canvas was traditionally made from linen and coated with a layer of animal glue. A brush is then used to apply the paint on the sketched outline of the subject.
Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez was unsuccessful in the use of oil painting as a medium of La Meninas painting. The painting is reported to have been destroyed during the 1734 Alcazar fire and the repainting of the left cheek of the infanta led to her misidentification. In addition, a substantial loss of pigment was lost. Recent reports have showed their discontentment on the loss of texture and hue. This was blamed on its exposure to pollution and the numerous visitors. The contrast has also faded over the years. The main pigments used for the painting were lead white, vermilion, azurite, ochers, red lake and carbon blacks which allows making of changes. These changes may alter the identification of the subjects. Acrylic medium would have been advisable. They are versatile and could be used both with water and oil thus dry fast, are water resistant and have long lasting texture.
