Who painted A Gift for the Master, Plate 47?

A Gift for the Master, Plate 47 was painted by Francisco Goya in 1799.

Where can I see A Gift for the Master, Plate 47?

A Gift for the Master, Plate 47 is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is A Gift for the Master, Plate 47?

A Gift for the Master, Plate 47 is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

A Gift for the Master, Plate 47

Francisco Goya , 1799

A Gift for the Master, Plate 47 is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1799, *A Gift for the Master, Plate 47* is an intaglio print by the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. It presents a nocturnal scene in which a central figure in a white robe receives a small, wrapped package from another individual, while surrounding onlookers observe the exchange.

Subject & Meaning

The composition suggests a moment of clandestine exchange, with the illuminated central figure drawing attention amid a group of spectators whose expressions range from curiosity to apprehension. The ambiguous narrative invites speculation about the nature of the gift and the social dynamics at play, reflecting Goya’s interest in the psychological undercurrents of everyday encounters.

Technique & Style

Goya employs chiaroscuro through deep contrasts of light and shadow, enhancing the three‑dimensionality of the figures and the overall tension of the scene. The print’s fine line work and varied hatching create texture and depth, while the dramatic illumination foregrounds the central act, a hallmark of the Romantic sensibility emerging in late‑18th‑century Spanish art.

History & Provenance

The print was produced as part of Goya’s series of plates issued at the turn of the 19th century. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on view as an example of the artist’s early printmaking practice and his exploration of narrative ambiguity.