명화 읽는 영어수업 15(시녀들)

1.

1) The central figure in the painting is Infanta Margaret Theresa, the young daughter of King Philip IV of Spain.

2) The two maids of honour are attending to the Infanta Margaret Theresa, one holding a bouquet of flowers while the other seems to be engaging with the princess.

3) Velázquez is positioned on the left side of the painting, standing in front of a canvas, as if he is in the process of painting the scene.

4) In the mirror, King Philip IV and Queen Mariana of Spain are reflected, suggesting they are watching the scene unfold.

5) The small dog at the feet of the Infanta and her maids adds a natural, playful touch to the scene and contrasts with the formality of the royal court.

6) The painting is set in the royal court of Spain, specifically in a room within the Palace of Madrid.

7) Velázquez includes himself in the painting to assert his importance as the artist and to show his active participation in the creation of the work, engaging directly with the viewer.

8) The light in the painting focuses on the Infanta and her attendants, drawing the viewer's attention to them. The shadows and softer light on other figures help create depth and perspective.

9) The painting was likely influenced by Jan van Eyck's Arnolfini Portrait(1434).

10) Las Meninas features a mix of intriguing characters- a princess, her attendants, a chaperon, two dwarfs and the artist himself. There is no clear main charcater, which invites viewers to interpret the scene in different ways. The mirror reflecting the king and queen adds a sense of mystery and makes us imagine what lies beyond the canvas.

2.

In the middle of the painting, the young princess, Infanta Margaret Theresa, stands with a calm expression. She is wearing a bright white dress. She looks like the center of attention, surrounded by her attendants. Two maids are standing near the princess. They are wearing dark dresses with white collars. One of them is holding a small bouquet of flowers, and both are focused on the princess, attending to her. The artist, Velázquez, is in the painting too. He is standing to the left, looking directly at the viewer. He is holding painting tools, as if he's painting the scene we are seeing. María Bárbola, a dwarf at the royal court, stands near the princess. She is wearing a colorful dress and seems to be watching the others with a serious look. A small dog is sitting at the feet of the Infanta and her maids. It adds a playful touch to the painting, making the scene feel more natural. The king and queen are reflected in a window at the back of the room. This makes it seem like they are watching the scene from where we, the viewers, are standing.

3.

1)  people surrounding her             2)  fully absorbed

3)  highlight                            4) seems to be observing

5) contrasts