The artwork titled “The Fall or The Accident” is an oil painting on canvas created by the artist Francisco Goya in 1787. Fitting into the Romanticism art movement, the painting measures 169 x 89 cm and is classified as a genre painting. Currently, this piece is part of a private collection.
The artwork depicts a dramatic scene in a bucolic landscape setting. In the foreground, a group of figures is gathered around a fallen man who lies prone on the ground, possibly injured from a fall off his horse, suggested by the presence of a horse nearby. Among the group, one man appears to be examining the fallen figure, while a woman on horseback turns her attention towards the incident, her face expressing concern. Another figure stands with arms outstretched, seemingly in a reaction of shock or alarm. To the side, a donkey is being led by another figure, looking on passively.
The background features towering trees with their foliage casting shadows on the ground and two more figures in the distance, which provides a sense of depth to the scene. The towering trees and expansive sky dominate the upper part of the canvas, contributing to the theatrical quality of the composition. Additionally, Goya’s careful use of light and shadow enhances the feeling of an unfolding drama, typical of Romanticism’s focus on emotion and individual experience.
