Artwork

The Jester Barbarroja

The Jester Barbarroja, by Francisco Goya, ink, 1778
The Jester Barbarroja, by Francisco Goya, ink, 1778

The Jester Barbarroja is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1778 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Jester Barbarroja is a print by Francisco de Goya, created around 1778 using various techniques on laid paper. It is a portrait of a man, identified by the printed name below the image.

Subject & Meaning

The subject is a man dressed in a long, fur-lined coat and turban, holding a curved walking stick. His serious expression and distinctive mustache and beard are notable. The name 'Barbarroja' may be a nickname, and the image could be a satirical representation, consistent with Goya's practice of critiquing human folly.

Technique & Style

Goya employed a range of techniques, including etching, aquatint, burin, and roulette, to create the image. The combination of shading and line work achieves a sense of depth, characteristic of Goya's expressive graphic style.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Francisco Goya

Artist

Francisco Goya

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.