Why it matters
Women spin in a workshop, while in the background the myth of Arachne, who dared to challenge Athena to a weaving contest, unfolds. Jonathan Brown called it and Las Meninas arguably Velázquez's 'two greatest paintings'.
Did you know?
- It was painted for Don Pedro de Arce, huntsman to Philip IV.
- It was probably damaged in the fire at the Madrid Alcázar in 1734.
- Strips were later added to the sides and top.
Based on the Wikipedia article Las Hilanderas (CC BY-SA 4.0).
