Artwork
Bravo!, Plate 38
Bravo!, Plate 38 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. Bravo!
About this work
Overview
Bravo!, Plate 38, created circa 1799 by Francisco de Goya, is a print housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, featuring a whimsical scene of music and companionship.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a seated man playing a guitar on the left, joined by a donkey facing right and two monkeys on its back, conveying an atmosphere of playful musicality.
Technique & Style
Executed against a muted grayish-brown background, the composition emphasizes the central guitar in the foreground, with the donkey and monkeys forming a lively accompaniment, characteristic of Goya's nuanced exploration of light and subject interaction.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 18th century, the work is part of Goya's body of prints from this period, now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.
Context
Aligning with the emerging Romanticism movement, the piece reflects Goya's ability to blend everyday life with subtle, expressive depth, foreshadowing the movement's emphasis on emotion and the irrational.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
