I read Diane's link to the "Las Hilanderas" explanation last, that is after I
wrote my own little philosophical explanation. I still think it would hold
despite this Las Hilanderas explanation.
Here is why I think so:
All of what Wendy Bird has considered can very easily be part of the
explanation of Velazquez's "meaning". It's there in the analysis and is part
of the style of the day, including the meanings it unravels - from an Art
Historians' perspective!
But the article also states unequivocally that Velazquez was a philosophical
artist -- which means he knew more than classical mythology - he understood
the deeper philosophical issues surrounding all of that erotic symbolism. The
trick of contrasting appearance and reality also means, the answer is not
"there" ie in the painting, no matter how much analysis is undertaken! Because
it is an "appearance"! This is actually a platonic paradox (ie "paradox"
meaning against appearances) The solution to the puzzle and the recursive
"picture within a picture" is in the "FORM" not the content. So to resolve it
requires some understanding of what the paradox is about. All of the "erotic"
symbolism is a play on the meaning of virtue, which is ostensibly ethical, but
in classical terms meant "purpose" ie the notion of "excellence" or what
something is by it's essential nature. (So there is also a little dialogue of
Velazquez going on about art & craft...)
But the philosophical dialogue is about the weaver & the spinner -- what their
"virtue" is (remember 'excellence' -- ie not just what they do!) So enter
"Necessity " and the thread unravels...
And so to resolve the puzzle you have to "bring to the picture" the meaning of
necessity.
It's called philosophy because it is suppose to make us think ~ no final
answer!
I wish ART today could do this for us.
I like to think when I am spinning that I am connected to a long tradition from
the past and the essence of this experience is only discovered in the doing.
We connect to a thread and pass it on much as we add onto the fiber passing
into the oriface... And we bring something to the experience .. of ourselves.
Just some philosophical ponderings on the puzzle.
Dianne (a philosopher in another life...)
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