The Sunday Gospel in the Catholic church covered Luke Chapter 10, when Jesus visited Martha and Mary in Bethany. Martha was busy with hosting duties, while Mary sat listening to Him. Martha asked Jesus to make Mary help, but He praised Mary for choosing what truly matters. Diego Velázquez paints an amazing scene that is commonly interpreted as Jesus, Mary (sitting) and Martha in the background. Jesus is rebuking Martha for complaining about Mary. In the foreground, working, obviously flustered is the maid crushing garlic. The elder woman is reminding her that she cannot find fulfillment alone in hard work. Others interpret the woman in the foreground as Martha and the standing woman in the background as incidental. Either way, the detail in the fish, garlic and other still life elements are outstanding.
Which woman do you think is Martha?