Picasso and History. The Case of Las Meninas

Picasso's revolutionary image has gradually evolved into a more conservative, traditional one. Indeed, a deeper look at his work shows that the he has always had a keen interest in the art of the past. Tradition unfolds before him as an attractive repository of forms from which to choose and reinterpret in a personal way. And within the entire Spanish artistic tradition, he found a personal challenge in Velazquez's Meninas. By reinterpreting the Meninas, Picasso not only showed his respect but also his independence in relation to the Baroque master, asserting his place in history.