The artwork titled “Girl Listening to a Guitar” was created by the respected artist Francisco Goya between the years 1797 and 1799. Employing the mediums of wash, ink, and paper, the work is a fine exemplar of the Romanticism movement. This caricature measures 17 by 9.9 centimeters and is currently housed at the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
The artwork presents a scene distinguished by its informal and sketch-like qualities, typical of Goya’s caricatures. On the right, a figure is depicted playing the guitar, the face exaggerated with what appears to be a comical expression, while on the left, a girl stands with an attentive posture, ostensibly engrossed in listening to the music. The artwork’s composition is enlivened by the dynamic contrast between the detailed rendering of the girl’s attire and the loose, expressive lines that characterize the figures, demonstrating Goya’s mastery over the interplay of light and shadow as well as his ability to convey the essence of the subjects with minimal yet effective strokes. The scene captures a moment of leisure, artistic appreciation, and human connection, resonating with the Romantic era’s emphasis on emotion and individual experience.
