Artwork
Linda maestra! (Pretty Teacher!)
Linda maestra! (Pretty Teacher!) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Linda maestra!
About this work
Overview
Linda maestra! (Pretty Teacher!) is a 1799 print by Francisco Goya, executed in etching, burnished aquatint, and drypoint on laid paper. It exemplifies Goya's technical versatility and his propensity for socially conscious themes, characteristic of his work as a prominent Spanish painter and printmaker of his era.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a nude woman riding a broomstick against a dark, hazy sky, with a bird in the distance. Her determined expression and dynamic, twisted pose convey intense energy and movement. The subject may allude to contemporary cultural or feminist themes, though its specific interpretation remains open.
Technique & Style
Goya combined etching, burnished aquatint, and drypoint to achieve a rich, expressive print. The emphasis on emotional intensity and dynamic movement aligns with early Romantic stylistic tendencies, highlighting Goya's adaptability and innovation in printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created in 1799, *Linda maestra!* is part of Goya's broader oeuvre that critically engaged with the social and political climate of his time. Specific provenance details for this piece are not provided.
Context
This work reflects Goya's engagement with the artistic and cultural currents of late 18th-century Spain, blending technical innovation with social commentary, a hallmark of his practice during this period.
Legacy
As a characteristic example of Goya's Romantic-era printmaking, *Linda maestra!* contributes to the artist's enduring legacy as a pioneer in capturing the emotional and the unknown through his work.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
Quien lo creyera! (Who Would Have Thought It!)
Subir y bajar (To Rise and To Fall)
Buen Viage (Bon Voyage)
Ya van desplumados (There They Go Plucked)
No hay quien nos desate? (Can't Anyone Untie Us?)
Y aun no se van! (And Still They Don't Go!)
No te escaparas (You Will Not Escape)
Si amanece; nos vamos (When Day Breaks We Will Be Off)
Disparate de miedo (Folly of Fear)
A caza de dientes (Out Hunting for Teeth)
Where is Mother Going?, Plate 65
Pretty Teacher!, Plate 68