Artwork
Young Woman Wringing Her Hands over a Man's Naked Body, Folio 50 (verso)
Young Woman Wringing Her Hands over a Man's Naked Body, Folio 50 (verso) is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This drawing is one of a series created by Francisco de Goya in a private notebook.
About this work
You see a woman in a dark room, her hands twisting as she looks down at a man’s bare body on the floor.
Goya drew this in private notebooks, not for show. The lines are quick, almost nervous—like he caught a secret moment. The woman’s face is shadowed, but her worry feels real.
If you want to see more of these raw, private sketches, look up Francisco de Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828).
Overview
This drawing is one of a series created by Francisco de Goya in a private notebook. It appears on the verso side of a double-sided sheet from the 'Madrid Album', a collection of drawings made by the artist over several decades.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a woman wringing her hands in distress over a naked male body on the floor. The scene may be related to the traditional iconography of Saint Margaret of Cortona, who repented after discovering her lover's murdered body.
Technique & Style
Goya's drawing is characterized by quick, expressive lines that convey a sense of urgency and emotional intensity. The woman's face is shadowed, adding to the enigmatic nature of the scene.
History & Provenance
The 'Madrid Album' was dispersed among public and private collections after Goya's death, with individual sheets and drawings scattered worldwide.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
