The Parasol

The story

“The Parasol” was painted around 1777. It is a cartoon by Francisco de Goya – a large painting from which the weavers made a tapestry for the dining room of the Prince and Princess of Asturias in the palace of El Pardo.

In “The Parasol” a young lady sits on the ground in a French-style dress. In one hand she holds a fan, and in her lap is a little dog. Beside her a young man, dressed as a Madrid majo, holds a green parasol to shield her face from the sun. Behind them the trees bend in the wind.

Francisco de Goya paints the light softly and warmly. The shadow of the parasol falls on the lady's face, and her dress shines yellow. Dark clouds gather in the sky, as if a storm were coming, but the painting is full of calm.

Goya painted dozens of such cartoons with cheerful scenes from the life of the people of Madrid. The last great one is The Straw Mannequin.

Today “The Parasol” is in the Prado Museum in Madrid.