On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00779
- Author
- Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de
- Title
- The Fair in Madrid
- Chronology
- 1778-1779
- Technique
- Óleo
- Support
- Lienzo
- Measures
- 258 cm x 218 cm
- School
- Española
- Theme
- Paisaje
- On display
- No
- Procedence
- Real Patrimonio, 1870
A group of individuals appear in front of the stall of a seller who displays his vessels, furniture, used clothing and paintings. Others people visit the other stalls around the Plaza de la Cebada, where all sorts of objects, including paintings, were sold. The background offers a view of the imposing Church of San Francisco el Grande.
Goya presents certain types and customs of Madrid's society, such as the connoisseur who observes the objects with his monocle, the the overdressed woman who points to some product with her fan, or the character who bargains with the salesman. All are interested in the outdated objects on display, objects abandoned by those who sought to adapt their houses to the new French fashions.
Like paintings number 780 through 784, this cartoon was the model for a tapestry intended to hang in the bedroom of the Prince and Princess of Asturias at the El Pardo Palace. Here, Goya demonstrates his mastery of perspective and of different genres, including, for example, a magnificent still life: the chocolate service visible in the foreground.













