The Duke of Osuna and his Family 1788

Francisco de Goya painted “The Duke of Osuna and his Family,” immortalizing the aristocratic family within the conventions of portraiture. Commissioned during a time of social upheaval and political change in Spain, this work captures the family's identity, projecting an image of stability and dynastic continuity. Consider the role of gender and class as you observe the painting. The Duke stands tall, his hand gently placed on his wife’s shoulder, signaling patriarchy and dominance. His wife, seated, embodies the maternal role surrounded by their children, while the children themselves are dressed in miniature versions of adult clothing. This image reflects their future roles as inheritors of wealth and social standing. While appearing traditional, Goya subtly hints at a more complex reality. The children’s slightly melancholic expressions and Goya's own critical view of the aristocracy suggest an underlying tension between appearance and reality, status and personhood.