On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P02782
- Author
- Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de (Spanish)
- Title
- The Drunken Mason
- Chronology
- 1786
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 35 cm x 15 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- LEGADO
- Procedence
- Legacy of Pedro Fernández Durán y Bernaldo de Ouirós, 1931
A drunken mason is carried off the
building site by two of his
companions, who cannot repress
their smirks at the drunk's
situation: he lacks his trousers
and his stockings have fallen
down.
This is a sketch for the tapestry
cartoon, The Injured Mason (P796),
which is also in the Prado Museum
collection. The comic
interpretation of this work makes
it unlikely that it was intended as
a social criticism of the lack of
safety for workers and masons,
which is what has traditionally
been said of the resultant
cartoon.
This sketch is one of two from the
series of tapestry cartoons
commissioned from Goya by the Royal
Tapestry Factory of Santa Bárbara.
The tapestries were intended for
the dining room of the Prince of
Asturias, the future Carlos IV
(1784-1819), at the El Pardo
Palace. The death of Carlos III
(1716-1788) and the new monarchs'
preference for other Royal Seats,
led this series to be hung in
different rooms at El Escorial, in
no particular order.
Location on the map
