Las Hilanderas by Diego Velázquez (Interpretation and Analysis)

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Las Hilanderas
Source: Wikimedia Commons
In the history of Spanish art, there is one name that stands out: Diego Velázquez. Velázquez is commonly regarded as the greatest of Spanish painters, only matched in talent and ingenuity by the likes of Francisco Goya and Pablo Picasso. Velázquez’s work is world renowned, and I would venture to say that his masterpiece, Las Meninas, is one of the most famous paintings in the world (it’s certainly in the top ten, if not the top five).

The painting I’m going to discuss today, which is entitled Las Hilanderas (The Spinners) dates from the latter portion of his career, by which time Velázquez was well established in his role of court painter. At this point in his life, Velázquez had developed a well defined and confident style, which was marked by expressive brushstrokes and a sense of visual dynamism.

Las Hilanderas depicts the story of Arachne, a legend from Greek mythology. According to legend, a mortal woman named Arachne challenged the goddess Athena to a weaving competition. When Arachne won, the jealous goddess transformed her into a spider. The women in the foreground of Las Hilanderas represent this tale; however the painting is more complex than it may appear at first glance.

Velázquez made the strange and interesting choice to portray Arachne and Athena as contemporary Spanish, peasant women during a time in which it was more popular to depict the subjects of Greek myths in flowing, classical robes. The women’s surroundings are equally recognizable. They seem to be in a palace chamber (Velázquez was a court painter for the Spanish royal family), and it is possible to see richly dressed women standing in the background examining the tapestries that the women are supposedly producing.

Here, Velázquez uses mythological iconography to mask his own commentary. While art historians have debated the underlying meaning of the painting, I personally believe that it represents some sort of class commentary. The women in the foreground—the peasants—are usually the people who are hidden in the background. Yet, here, Velázquez reveals them for what they truly are, the producers of all the fine and luxurious things that the rich enjoy. Here, he celebrates the hard work that fuels Spanish society.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.

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