On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P07346
- Author
- Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de (Spanish)
- Title
- Magpie in a Tree
- Chronology
- 1786-1787
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 279 cm x 28 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
This cartoon was for one of the
tapestries to be hung in the Prince
of Asturias' dining room at the El
Pardo Palace. Its narrow, elongated
format indicates it was intended to
be hung in a corner. It is probably
inspired by a Chinese screen, which
were very fashionable in the
eighteenth century. The screen's
representation of exotic birds on
tree branches is replaced here by a
magpie and other small birds
belonging to Spain's fauna.
The painter situates the birds on
different planes in order to create
a sense of depth that complements
the high, narrow format. At the
same time, he expresses the birds'
flight and the magpie's equilibrium
on the tree branch with vivid
realism.
Location on the map
