The Daily Painting: A Girl and Her Duenna

Friday, January 8, 2010

A Girl and Her Duenna

(click to enlarge)

Bartolome Esteban Murillo
(Spanish, 1617-1682)
A Girl and Her Duenna, 1670
Oil on canvas

A duenna is a chaperone or governess. I love the mischeivious look on the girl's face and the giggling of the governess. Wonder what they're looking at. :)

2 comments:

AnonymousJanuary 8, 2010 at 3:46 PM
"Look, the maid is kissing the kitchen boy!"

(Katie, not signed in)
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R. A.January 8, 2010 at 10:58 PM
Haha, that's perfect! I love paintings that could have stories behind them, but I can never think of good stories. Now that all these writers are reading my blog I'll have to post some more! ;)
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Questions to ask about a painting

What is the subject of the painting? Does the title add to your understanding of the painting?

What's the main color scheme? Why do you think the artist chose these colors? How do they make you feel?

Where do you look first? What do your eyes follow around the painting? What seems most important in this painting?

Is the painting organized, or jumbled? Chaotic or peaceful?

Consider what it all might mean: What does the painting tell you? What is the artist trying to say about the subject matter? What feeling does the painting evoke? How did the painter achieve this effect?