On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P03045
- Author
- Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de (Spanish)
- Title
- Strolling Players
- Chronology
- 1793
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 42,5 cm x 31,7 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COMPRA
- Procedence
- Acquisition. 1962
This popular scene painted with
great technical freedom shows an
improvised stage surrounded by
people in the midst of a landscape.
The piece being played is a satire
from the Italian Commedia dell'
Arte. The main characters appear on
stage: Arlecchino, Columbina and
Pantalone. A poster at the front of
the stage reads “Alec Men”
(“Menandrian Allegory”).
This work belonged to a series of
twelve scenes, six of bulls and six
on varied subjects, which the
painer made following his grave
illness of 1783, when he lost his
hearing. As these works were not
commissioned, Goya was able to
paint with greater freedom. He
presented the series at the Royal
Academy of Fine Arts of San
Fernando in January 1794.
Location on the map
