2. LAS MENINAS. By Velazquez. THE MAIDS OF HONOR. Velazquez painted it in 1656. It is a big picture painted with oil on a canvas. You can see it at THE MUSEO DEL PRADO in Madrid.

3. Meninas is the name of the maids that help the princess. Here we can see two. 1 2 But the picture tells a story:

4. Velazquez is working in his studio or workshop.

5. Suddenly, The princess Margarita comes in with her maids, her favorite dwarfs, her teachers, her dog and her bodyguard.

6. Princess Margarita asks for water. Her maid gives her a jar of water. Meanwhile, the little boy is kicking the dog.

7. In that moment the King and Queen of Spain appears. Everybody looks at them: Velazquez, the princess, the maid who is standing up, the dwarf, the bodyguard, the teachers... This is the moment Velazquez captures, like a photo, and paints.

8. But where are the King and Queen? King Philip IV and Queen Mariana are reflected on the little mirror. This is very original. No painters did so before.

9. Another thing very important in the picture is THE LIGHT. You can see the light coming from a side and makes like a triangle. The rest is very dark.

10. Other interesting thing is: THE PERSPECTIVE. Things which are near, you paint them big. Things which are far, you paint them small. When drawing, you follow this guide lines.

11. At the back you can hardly see two big pictures. They are Velazquez’s favorites pictures.

12. TASK: Colour your Meninas. Draw your favorite pictures at the back. Then, make your own picture of The Princess Margarita with the tecnique of COLLAGE. Use fabrics, papers, wool, anything you want.