Artwork
That Certainly is Being Able to Read, Plate 29
That Certainly is Being Able to Read, Plate 29 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
Francisco de Goya's 'That Certainly is Being Able to Read, Plate 29' is a print created around 1799, now held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts an older man struggling to read, his face and hands illuminated against a dark background. The caption 'Esto sí que es leer?' ('This is what reading is?') suggests irony, highlighting the man's difficulties.
Technique & Style
Goya's use of chiaroscuro emphasizes the man's face and hands, drawing attention to his expression of confusion or frustration. The sketchy style and dark lighting contribute to the overall sense of struggle.
Context
Goya often employed humor to comment on everyday life, using irony to critique societal norms. This print may be seen as a commentary on the challenges faced by the elderly or the less literate.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
