The artwork entitled “The school scene” is a creation by Francisco Goya dated to 1785. This oil on canvas piece is indicative of the Romanticism art movement and is classified as genre painting, presenting a snapshot of everyday life. The artwork’s modest dimensions are 19.7 x 38.7 cm and it resides within the Museo de Zaragoza in Zaragoza, Spain.
In the artwork, a lively scene unfolds inside what appears to be a classroom from the 18th century. The composition is animated with a variety of characters, primarily children engaging in different activities. Several children are gathered around a man seated at the left, who seems to be an authority figure, possibly a teacher. The children display a range of emotions and actions, with some attentive and others playful or distracted.
The right side of the painting shows more children, some actively participating in instruction, with their focus directed toward books or other pupils, while a few are indulging in mischief. The use of light and shadow adds depth to the scene and highlights the central figures. On the floor are strewn books, indicating a busy, somewhat chaotic atmosphere typical of a school environment. The rendering of the figures and their expressions is masterful, suggesting Goya’s keen interest in the social conditions and human character of his time.
