Velazquez, Diego, vuh LAHS kuhs, DYAY goh (1599-1660), was an important Spanish baroque painter. Many characteristics of his style can be seen in one of his masterpieces, Las Meninas. Las Meninas shows Velazquez' use of realism, rich colors, and light and shadow. In addition, it shows the painter's ability to place his subjects in space. Velazquez stands beside the huge canvas on which he is painting a portrait of the king and queen, whom we see reflected in a mirror on the back wall. Princess Margarita has entered with her maids and entertainers to watch while a courtier stands in the still-open door. Velazquez created an illusion of space both within and beyond the painting. By including the reflection of the king and queen, who would be standing about where the viewers stand, Velazquez includes the space in front of the canvas as part of the composition. See Baroque.