A man and a woman riding a mule; page 36 from the "Images of Spain" Album (F)
Original title: A man and a woman riding a mule; page 36 from the "Images of Spain" Album (F)
kurzbeschreibung
Drawn between about 1812 and 1820 by Francisco de Goya y Lucientes, this sheet belongs to the album 'Images of Spain' (F). It shows a figure riding a mule, rendered with brush and point of brush in gray washes over red chalk. The drawing is part of a series that records scenes of everyday Spanish life.
Description
A lone rider sits astride a mule, dressed in garments typical of the late 18th or early 19th century. The pose is animated, suggesting forward motion. The setting and surroundings remain undefined and dark, directing attention to the figure. Gray tones dominate the palette, with traces of red chalk running through. In the upper right appear the numerals '36' and '21'.
Context
The album 'Images of Spain' (F), to which this sheet belongs, was made between 1812 and 1820. Goya used such albums as private sketchbooks to note scenes from Spanish life. The identity of the person depicted cannot be established with certainty, but the figure stands in the tradition of his portrayals of rural people and everyday occurrences. The period of creation falls in the years of political upheaval following the Napoleonic occupation of Spain.
Impact
The subdued color and dark ground give the sheet a concentrated, intimate mood. The figure's animated pose conveys a liveliness that recalls a fleeting sketch and is characteristic of Goya's late work. Red accents provide quiet contrasts and bring out details of the clothing.
Technique
Brush and point of brush were used with gray washes, laid over traces of red chalk. The interplay of wash and drawn lines produces a nuanced range of tones and textures. The paper measures about 20.6 × 14.5 cm, matching the usual format of his album sheets.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)