#prado museum

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes, Dona Maria Tomasa Palafox, Marquesa de Villafranca, 1804, Prado Museum

Since its Goya’s birthday today and it’s Women’s History Month, I wanted to share this portrait of this 19th century exceptional woman. The Marchioness of Villafranca was an honorary member of the Madrid Academy. Goya has depicted Dona Maria sitting in an armchair with brush in one hand and maulstick in the other. She is looking at her work which depicts her husband. Although Goya has included her name on the palette declaring her as an artist, he has still represented her dressed in the latest fashion, an Empire waist diaphanous gown with silk slippers. The maulstick was used by more amateur artists (at least, the great artists would never admit to needing such an aid.) No matter what she is wearing or using to practice her art, I find this portrait within a portrait which introduces many questions about who is The viewer and who is being viewed utterly charming.