Artwork
Friar Pedro Clubs El Maragato with the Butt of the Gun
Friar Pedro Clubs El Maragato with the Butt of the Gun is an oil painting by Francisco Goya. It dates from 1806 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1806, this oil painting by Francisco Goya portrays a violent encounter between a friar and a man identified as El Maragato. The work is part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection and exemplifies Goya’s interest in the turbulent social climate of early‑19th‑century Spain.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a brown‑robed friar looming over a prone figure dressed in a green jacket and white shirt. The friar grips a pistol with his right hand while his left hand forms a clenched fist, suggesting an act of aggression. The fallen man’s twisted face conveys pain, emphasizing the scene’s brutal immediacy.
Technique & Style
Goya employs strong chiaroscuro, casting deep shadows across stone‑walled surroundings and a narrow window, which heightens the tension between light and dark. The stark contrast isolates the figures, directing focus to the physical struggle and underscoring the dramatic intensity of the moment.
History & Provenance
After its execution, the painting entered private collections before being acquired by the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains on display. Its provenance reflects the broader trajectory of Goya’s works, which moved from Spanish patrons to international institutions during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
Friar Pedro Clubs El Maragato with the Butt of the Gun
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Friar Pedro Wrests the Gun from El Maragato
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Friar Pedro Binds El Maragato with a Rope
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