Las Hilanderas

"Las Hilanderas," also known as "The Spinners" or "The Fable of Arachne," is a painting by Diego Velázquez completed in 1657, depicting a scene from Ovid's "Metamorphoses" where the mortal Arachne challenges the goddess Athena to a weaving contest. The work is notable for its complex composition and masterful use of light and shadow, illustrating Velázquez's skill in blending mythological narrative with a realistic depiction of a contemporary tapestry workshop.

"Las Hilanderas," also known as "The Spinners," by Diego Velázquez, depicts a dynamic scene within a tapestry workshop, where the foreground is dominated by women engaged in spinning and weaving, rendered with a masterful use of chiaroscuro that highlights the textures of their garments and the materials around them. In the background, a secondary scene unfolds, featuring figures in a more theatrical setting, possibly referencing a mythological narrative, with a tapestry depicting the myth of Arachne, showcasing Velázquez's skill in integrating complex compositions and narrative depth.