Children Inflating a Bladder
- Original dimensions
- 124 x 116 cm
Scene depicted
This masterpiece depicts a playful and innocent scene of children absorbed in their game, a floating bladder seemingly capturing the essence of pure joy. The canvas evokes a light atmosphere, punctuated by the laughter of children, where every detail contributes to painting a picture of vibrant and delicate life. Goya succeeds in freezing a moment of wonder, illustrating the fleeting happiness of childhood.
Historical context
Œuvre : Children Blowing a Bladder |BRK| Artiste : Francisco de Goya |BRK| Année : 1777 |BRK| Musée : Prado Museum |BRK| Dimensions : 124 x 116 cm |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
Children Blowing a Bladder is situated at a turning point in Goya's career, a time when his style began to evolve towards greater expressiveness. This painting, comparable to his works “The Naked Maja” and “The Families of Charles IV,” testifies to his skill in capturing human emotions, solidifying itself as a pillar in the edifice of his artistic journey.
Anecdote
In his own words, Goya is said to have remarked: “The purity of children is akin to that of a blank canvas.” It was on a sunny morning, at the turn of a street in Madrid, that the idea for this pictorial work came to him, resonating with the echo of lost innocence. Children Blowing a Bladder testifies to this felt inspiration, a scene both mundane and almost magical.