Portrait of the court dwarf known as el Primo, after Velázquez
Original title: Portrait of the court dwarf known as el Primo, after Velázquez
kurzbeschreibung
In 1778, Francisco de Goya y Lucientes produced this etching titled Porträt des Hofzwergs, bekannt als el Primo, after a painting by Diego Velázquez. The print renders the seated man in a range of grey tones.
Description
A man in 17th-century garments crouches on the ground, his gaze directed straight at the viewer, his posture upright. The monochrome effect arises solely from hatched lines that create different grey values. Light falls evenly across the figure, without harsh shadows, while the dark, plain background draws attention to the sitter.
Context
The etching was made in 1778 as part of a series based on works by Velázquez. Velázquez had painted the court dwarf el Primo in the 17th century; Goya took up this motif, honouring the older master. At that time Goya was deeply engaged with Spanish artistic tradition and influenced by Velázquez.
Impact
Through delicate linework and a calm, direct rendering of the sitter, the print speaks for itself. The grey palette evokes a serious, dignified mood and focuses the viewer’s attention on the personality of the depicted man.
Technique
The etching was executed in intaglio, a process in which the drawing is bitten into a plate. Goya achieved various grey tones through the density of lines and the duration of biting, creating depth and texture. The sheet measures 40.7 x 29 cm, the plate 20.8 x 14.9 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)