In that transitory instant, Velasquez took his vivid impression of the scene, and has translated his impression into paint.

Everything is simple and natural as can be.

The ordinary light of day falls upon the princess, but does not penetrate to the ceiling of the lofty room, which is still in shadow.
All seem to have come together haphazard without being fitted into the canvas.

There is little detail, and the whole effect seems produced by the simplest means; yet in reality the skill involved is so great that artists to-day spend weeks copying the picture, in the endeavour to learn something of the secret of Velasquez.
The best judges are among those who rank him highest, so that he is called pre-eminently 'the painter's painter.' It is impossible for any one but a painter to understand how he used paint.

From near at hand it looks a smudge, but at the proper distance every stroke takes its right place.