Las Meninas

Las Meninas: Picasso's Tribute to Velázquez

In 1957, Pablo Picasso embarked on an ambitious project, creating a series of 58 paintings titled "Las Meninas." This series was Picasso's profound exploration of Diego Velázquez's iconic 1656 painting of the same name. Again and again, Picasso analyzed, reinterpreted, and reinvented Velázquez's masterpiece, each time offering a fresh perspective. Today, these works are housed at the Museu Picasso in Barcelona, making it the sole location where one can view the entire series together.

The series is remarkably diverse. It includes 45 renditions of Velázquez's original scene, nine paintings featuring a dove, three landscapes, and a portrait of Jacqueline, Picasso's muse and second wife. In 1968, Picasso graciously donated this entire collection to the Museu Picasso in memory of his friend Jaime Sabartés.

Picasso's "Las Meninas" series has traveled the world, being exhibited in cities such as Paris, London, Tokyo, Kyoto, Amsterdam, and, of course, Barcelona. Individual pieces from the series have also been showcased in prestigious institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the National Gallery in London, and Tate Liverpool.

Velázquez's original "Las Meninas" has long been a fount of inspiration for artists. Over the years, numerous artists have created their interpretations of this iconic painting, including Salvador Dalí, Francisco de Goya, Richard Hamilton, and John Singer Sargent. The influence of Velázquez, as well as Picasso's reinterpretations, continues to resonate with contemporary artists. Exhibitions such as "Forgetting Velázquez" have delved into this enduring legacy, highlighting how modern creators reference and reimagine "Las Meninas" in their own work.