Puzzling Pictures: 'Kitchen Scene with Christ in the House of Martha and Mary', probably 1618

Diego Velázquez
1599-1660

NG1375

This painting appears to show a scene from a 17th-century kitchen. But in the upper right-hand corner there is another scene, showing the New Testament subject of Christ in the house of Martha and Mary. Is it is seen through a window, reflected through a mirror, or is it a painting hanging on the wall? In all likelihood it is a view into an adjacent room, but perhaps Velázquez deliberately left things a little unclear because he didn't want this part of the painting to be taken too literally. In 17th-century Spain still-life painting was just coming into its own, but very often paintings of food were extended to include cooks and kitchen maids preparing it. A moral was often added as well.

Since the younger woman looks slightly unhappy with her labour we may be intended to think that the older woman is reminding her of how Christ urged Martha to be content with her lot. In which case the scene top right is a visual equivalent to the words spoken by the woman. It is even possible that a painting of this sort was made to hang in a kitchen.

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