Beggar with a staff in his right hand; folio 69 from the "Images of Spain" Album (F)
Original title: Beggar with a staff in his right hand; folio 69 from the "Images of Spain" Album (F)
kurzbeschreibung
A beggar holding a staff in his right hand and a bowl in his left appears on this sheet by Francisco de Goya y Lucientes. The drawing was likely made between 1812 and 1820. It is executed in brush and brown wash on paper.
Description
Standing upright, his face hidden under a hood and his gaze lowered, the beggar seems pensive or resigned. He wears simple, loose clothing that resembles a robe. In his right hand he holds a staff, in his left a bowl. The background remains bare, focusing attention entirely on the figure. Brown and gray tones dominate the palette, creating a somber, serious mood. In the upper right corner is the number '69'.
Context
This sheet belongs to the album 'Images of Spain', a series made between 1812 and 1820. Goya worked on it during a time of political upheaval in Spain, including the Napoleonic occupation and the restoration of the Bourbons. Beggars and marginal figures appear repeatedly in Goya's late work. Album F is one of several sketchbooks Goya kept for personal study, not for public exhibition.
Impact
The restrained palette and spare background create a concentrated, almost meditative atmosphere. The beggar's posture appears calm and dignified, despite obvious poverty. The viewer is invited to reflect on social inequality and the conditions of human existence.
Technique
Brush and brown ink on paper were used for this work. The fluid, varied stroke points to a spontaneous, sketch-like working method. Different concentrations of ink produce the shading and give the sheet a lively depth.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)