The best-known work of its creator, of whom it includes a self-portrait, this canvas was called "the theology of painting" by one artist and "the philosophy of art" by another. It was reinterpreted by the most famous artist of the 20th century, and its precise meaning has been endlessly debated. Today, it hangs in a great museum in the city in which it was made. What is it, who painted it, and who reinterpreted it? (Please provide an illustration.)

peasypod

It would be Las Meninas, (Velázquez). Dale Brown (1969) reinterpreted it as the painter has prognosticated the Fall of the Spanish Empire. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Velasquez#References Aug 29 05, 7:28 PM

lanfranco

It is "Las Meninas", peasy, so a yay to you! The relationship between illusion and representation; beween the beholder and the beheld; art as a mirror of reality; social relationships, values, and hierarchies and the place of art and the artist within and among them -- you name it, someone's written about "Las Meninas" in that context. The great art philosopher Arthur Danto once wrote that this painting's puzzles are meant to be felt, not explained. I've long felt that about the 20th-century reinterpreter, Picasso, though much to the distress of a couple of Picasso experts I know. Aug 29 05, 7:46 PM

Create a Free FunTrivia ID to add to, request more/new answers, or edit this entry

Though it was a mere blip on the artistic landscape until the middle of the last century, this painting is, today, regarded as a cultural icon in its country of origin. Depicting a certain gentleman engaged in a enjoyable sport, it was long thought to have been painted by one of the most famed artists of the country in question. Recently, that attribution has been doubted. What is it, who are the two artists associated with it, and can you provide an illustration? It is said that in the 18th century, two well-known artists engaged in a dispute over whether it was possible to produce a successful painting that employed a certain color as its dominant chromatic theme. One of the painters set out to prove that it was, and the result hangs in an American museum. Who were the artists, what is the painting, and can you provide an illustration of it? This once-controversial painting, by an artist who courted controversy throughout his career, is thought by many to have a title well-suited to its subject. Rejected by squeamish jurors as an exhibition entry, it was eventually sold for only $200 to an appropriate academic institution. Today, it is considered one of the great works of American art. What is it, and can you provide an illustration? This 17th century painting is at the height of controversary over a missing body part. The original was once engraved by another artist in its mirror image. A second copy was made not long after, but inside another painting, that is, a painting within a painting. Both copies have this body part exposed, whilst the supposed original, in the London National Gallery doesn't, which has caused concerns that what they have is a fake. Which painting is it, who painted the original and what one other discrepancy appears between the copies and the 'original'?

1 It's Its! One of the most common mistakes editors find in quizzes is confusion over when to use 'its' and 'it's'. If you create quizzes, help me out by taking this quiz! If the usage is correct, pick 'yes', otherwise, pick 'no'. Quizmaker Tune-Ups Very Easy 15 Q crisw Jun 06 00 9498 plays 2 City of Leicester and its Environs Leicester has been around since before the Roman invasion. How much do you know about it? Central England Tough 15 Q romeomikegolf Jun 04 04 408 plays 3 Pick an Artist Choose the correct artist for each song title. Name the Artist Average 10 Q Emilu Sep 08 00 1452 plays