Looking Mythically at "The Spinners"

"The Spinners" 

by Diego Velaquez

Carefully looking at this painting made me realize I need a lot more practice in being a mythic detective. I do wish that I could see an actual painting because I am confused by many of the small details of the painting. A few things I have noticed in this painting in relation to Ovid's story are as follows: 

In his account, Ovid claims that people delighted in watching Arachne do her work of spinning, and muses even traveled to see her artwork. It appears to me that this is represented by the spectators in the back room and the way the artwork is obviously displayed. 

It is also said that Pallas took the form of an old woman, and it is seen in Velaquez's painting that the woman on the left is the oldest and least beautiful. This is also the only character that faces the observer, causing her to be most noticeable. One thing that is different is that Ovid claims Pallas's limbs were also aged, but it seems that the painter chose to paint her leg as youthful and exposed--a clue to the woman's true identity. 

The woven artwork in the back is one done by another artist (Titian), but it depicts the story of Jove's abduction of Europa, which is one of the stories Arachne is said to have woven this story. Valequez also made the rest of the tapestry according to Ovid's description: "The outer edge of the web, surrounded by a narrow border, had flowers interwoven with entangled ivy." 

In reading about Arachne on wikipedia, I found out that in the further reaching room, Pallas is in the process of punishing Arachne. Although Arachne is obviously not at the stage of a spider yet, her head may be starting to shrink. 

I think this painting is very beautiful and rich because of the meaning behind all the details. It is especially neat that he has two different moments in one painting.