Odilia Iaccarino
Without a doubt, it is clear that "Las Meninas de Velázquez" has been my muse and focus for the last few years. Through my experience visiting the beautiful city of Madrid, Spain, we could discuss Las Meninas and its context for hours. One particular moment stands out: as I stood before the canvas, I felt an overwhelming sense of connection to the artist and the world he inhabited, which sparked a deep desire to capture that essence in my own art. On a trip to Madrid, I was captivated by the enormous life-size Menina sculptures that adorned the city and by the importance of their contribution to the culture of the Spaniards. In 17th-century Spain, the Meninas were noble-born girls sent to the palace to serve the queen or her daughters. The most famous Meninas are depicted in Diego Velázquez's artwork "Las Meninas," which is named after them, and these maids of honor have become iconic figures in Madrid, Spain. In my journey to achieve a version of Las Meninas, I created a silhouette of the modern Menina figure and added colorful paint and textures to the canvas; this process evoked emotions reminiscent of my day spent wandering the streets of Madrid. For me, the challenge lies in exploring a balance of elements on the canvas, using primarily oil, pastels, acrylics, and graphite. The suggestive form also embarks on organic elements, which brings a tridimensional depth to the works.
Jewels Untold, mix media, 24 x 30, 2025
