The Spinners

In class on Monday and Wednesday I was amazed each time that the painting by Velazquez was put up on the projector.  Breathtaking is the word I would use to describe the work of art.  Vivid colors and texture build the story and show the business of the room.  You can almost see the women weaving, the gentle whir of the wool on the wheel as the wood creaks from the use.  You can see the knowing look shared between the disguised goddess and the maiden by her side.  The bright red curtain seems to tell us that something is to come.  In the background, the painting by Titian is recreated to show the story that Arachne weaved into her tapestry.  Someone in a helmet in the back seems to symbolize the picture of herself that Pallas weaved into her tapestry.  Light from the left side falls on a Arachne, who is sitting with her arms wide.  She has proven at that point she is the better weaver.  In the front to the right, darkness shadows a doorway with a rope hanging down.  I wonder if this symbolizes that a time very soon, Arachne herself will use.