The Painting
The painting, The Fable of Arachne, is also known as Las Hilanderas, The Spinners or The Tapestry Weavers. It is one the most famous paintings by the Spanish artist Diego Velazquez. It is based upon Ovid's fable of Arachne. Arachne was a mortal women who dared challenge the Greek goddess Athena about whom the better weaver was. A contest ensued in which both women created beautiful weavings. Athena was angered though and turned Arachne into a spider, to forever weave.
The Fable of Arachne is an oil on canvas, 220cm x 289cm and was done in 1657 for the King of Spain's royal huntsman, Don Pedro de Arce. The height and width of this painting was changed, after fire damage, when it was housed in Madrid's Alcazar Palace, in 1734. The painting stayed at the Alcazar Palace until it changed homes, in 1819, and was moved to the collection at the Museo del Prado, in Madrid Spain. The Museo del Prado is Spain's national art museum and houses paintings, prints and sculptures. The museum currently has The Fable of Arachne on display to the public.
The Fable of Arachne is an oil on canvas, 220cm x 289cm and was done in 1657 for the King of Spain's royal huntsman, Don Pedro de Arce. The height and width of this painting was changed, after fire damage, when it was housed in Madrid's Alcazar Palace, in 1734. The painting stayed at the Alcazar Palace until it changed homes, in 1819, and was moved to the collection at the Museo del Prado, in Madrid Spain. The Museo del Prado is Spain's national art museum and houses paintings, prints and sculptures. The museum currently has The Fable of Arachne on display to the public.