Young Woman Wringing Her Hands over a Man's Naked Body, Folio 50 (verso)

Among the great figures of the pictorial arts in the West, Francisco de Goya is one of the very few whose work as a graphic artist is arguably even more important than his paintings. Alongside a prodigious output of prints, he created eight sketchbooks of drawings over the course of 30 years. This double-sided sheet comes from the so-called Album B, or Madrid Album, which, like all of them, was scattered throughout the world in public and private collections after his death. The drawings reveal Goya’s powers of invention and observation, and his biting satire. On the recto side of the sheet, a vulgar encounter between a prostitute and a pot-bellied lecher reveals the bluntness of the Goya’s social criticism. The verso drawing is less easily pinned down, though it follows traditional iconography for representations of Saint Margaret of Cortona, a nobleman’s mistress who repented and entered a convent after her lover’s dog led her to his murdered corpse.

A vertically oriented brush and gray wash drawing on beige paper depicts a woman in a long, pale dress standing on a log. She faces right, head bowed and hands clasped at her chin. Behind her, a nude male figure with light skin tone lies horizontally. A small, spotted dog stands near her feet. Broad, layered gray washes suggest a background of foliage. The number 30 is written in the upper left corner.

Young Woman Wringing Her Hands over a Man's Naked Body, Folio 50 (verso)

1796–97

Francisco de Goya

(Spanish, 1746–1828)

Spain

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork

Artwork Page for Young Woman Wringing Her Hands over a Man's Naked Body, Folio 50 (verso)

Details / Information for Young Woman Wringing Her Hands over a Man's Naked Body, Folio 50 (verso)