The artwork “Portrait of Mariano Goya” is an oil on panel painting by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya, created during the period of 1812 to 1814. This piece, measuring 59 by 47 centimeters, is part of the Romanticism art movement. It is categorized as a portrait and is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork delicately captures the likeness of a young boy, poised with an air of gentle serenity. The child is depicted wearing a black suit paired with a crisp white ruffle, which was characteristic of more formal childhood attire during the era. Notably, he is adorned with a top hat, suggesting a sense of maturity beyond his years, yet there remains an innocence in his soft facial features. The boy is positioned next to a sheet of music, emphatically grasping a rolled-up paper or baton, implying either a musical education or a symbolic gesture to his cultured upbringing. The intimate scale and detailed treatment of the figure, set against a muted background, draw the viewer’s focus to the subject’s contemplative gaze, imbuing the portrait with emotion and depth. This artwork reflects the Romantic emphasis on individualism and the complexity of human expression.
