Self-Portrait in a Cocked Hat
Original title: Self-Portrait in a Cocked Hat
kurzbeschreibung
Around 1790, Francisco de Goya y Lucientes drew himself wearing a striped hat. This sheet in brown ink on paper shows his face and upper body in half-profile and belongs among his drawn self-examinations.
Description
Goya is seen half from the side, with face and upper torso visible. On his head sits a hat with a distinctive fold and stripes typical of the 18th century; his hair is tied in a queue. The background remains sparse, letting the eye rest on the face and headwear. Light falls evenly across the sheet, with no shadows indicated.
Context
The drawing was made around 1790, when Goya was working at the Spanish court for Charles IV. It is executed in brown ink on paper, probably iron gall ink. At roughly 9.8 × 8.8 cm, the small format suggests a private study — perhaps a preparatory work for a larger piece or a personal record.
Impact
The confident linework and concise layout give the sheet something immediate and intimate. Goya's gaze meets the viewer directly, lending the portrait a personal touch. Because shadows are absent and the light stays even, a calm, sober mood prevails.
Technique
The artist worked with a pen in brown ink on paper, possibly iron gall ink. The hat's stripes and individually placed hairs are rendered in fine linear hatching. This allows textures and light effects to be captured precisely.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)