Arachne (A Sybil) 1648

Diego Velázquez made this oil painting, Arachne (A Sybil), in Spain, during the 17th century. The painting is thought to represent the mythological figure of Arachne who was turned into a spider by Athena after she dared to challenge the goddess to a weaving contest. The other reading is of a Sibyl: women who could see into the future. Either way, the picture raises questions about women's roles in society and their access to different forms of knowledge. It's worth noting that Velázquez worked at the court of King Philip IV, an institution with its own very specific rules and expectations. What did it mean for an artist working for the King to represent female knowledge? Was this progressive or conservative for its time? To understand the painting better, we might investigate the history of women in Spain at this time, or consider the role of mythology in the Spanish court. By understanding the social and institutional contexts of the artwork, we come closer to understanding its full meaning.