On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P05539
- Author
- Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de (Spanish)
- Title
- A Hunter Loading his Shotgun
- Chronology
- 1775
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 289 cm x 90 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- INVENTARIO TAPICES
- Procedence
- Real Patrimonio. 1870
This tapestry cartoon shows a
hunter loading a shotgun, with a
dog lying at his feet and other
hunters behind him. This work is as
fine example of Goya's interest in
Nature. He perfectly integrates the
hunter's figure among the sinuous
silhouettes of the trees whose
vertical elongation fits the format
of this composition.
The resulting tapestry was intended
to hang in the dining room of the
Prince and Princess of Asturias
—the future Carlos IV (1748-1819)
and his wife, María Luisa de Parma
(1751-1819)— at the Monastery of El
Escorial, which explains its
elongated format. This series was
Goya's first important commission
for the Royal Tapestry Factory of
Santa Bárbara. The overall subject,
hunting, was in keeping with the
monarchs' use of that Royal Seat.
Location on the map
