Many regard this as Velázquez’ best work from his early years in Seville, and it is undoubtedly the most important of his bodegones.
The artist achieved such a degree of verisimilitude that the scene seems to take place in front of our eyes. In fact, the composition is so carefully balanced and arranged as to resemble a regal ceremony. Then ubiquitous throughout Europe, watersellers were essential in Seville. Nonetheless, they were ranked near the bottom of the social pyramid. But Velázquez reverses this completely and imbues the old man with dignity, although the higher social status of the boy clutching the full glass is clearly indicated by his fine clothes and light skin.
In this painting Velázquez has »reversed questions of class in primary needs« (Martin Warnke). We find the same expression of humanity in all his portraits of court jesters and dwarfs.