The artwork titled “Playing at Giants” is a creation of Francisco Goya, dating back to the period between 1791 and 1792. A work of oil on canvas, it measures 137 x 104 cm and belongs to the Romanticism movement in art. This genre painting currently resides in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
Depicted within the artwork are four children engaged in a playful imitation of giants. One child stands atop the shoulders of another, gesturing grandly with arms extended, while wearing a large hat, giving the impression of towering height. The child below supports the ‘giant,’ his face partly obscured, focused on maintaining their balance. To the left, another child with arms wide appears to cheer or participate in the play, and to the right, a further child crouches on the ground, attentively watching the scene. The background suggests a bucolic setting with trees and hints of a blue sky above, further encapsulating the innocent and carefree theme. The luminosity of the sky contrasts with the earth-toned clothing of the figures, which adds to the lively yet harmonious composition characteristic of Goya’s Romantic style.