In 1985, a poll of artists and critics identified Velazquez’s Las Meninas (c. 1656) as the greatest painting in the history of art. The seemingly common, though mysterious, scene in the painting has fascinated artists and viewers alike over the centuries. In this lecture, we will examine and analyze the works of Velazquez culminating with Las Meninas. We will evaluate its designation as the greatest painting in the history of art as well as examine the works of Goya, Singer Sargent, and Picasso; each of whom were influenced by Velazquez’s masterpiece.