Page "Diego Velázquez" Paragraph 38

One of the infantas, Margaret Theresa, the eldest daughter of the new Queen, appears to be subject of Las Meninas ( 1656, English: The Maids of Honour ), Velázquez's magnum opus.

However, in looking at the various viewpoints of the painting it is unclear as to who or what is the true subject.

Is it the royal daughter, or perhaps the painter himself?

The answer may lie in the image on the back wall, depicting the King and Queen.

Is this image a mirror, in which case the King and Queen are standing where the spectator stands?

Are they the subject of Velazquez's work?

Or is the work simply a court painting?

Much is still in speculation about the true subject of this masterpiece, and many of the questions that are asked may never be truly answered.