Retrato De Goya 1828

This is a portrait of Goya, made by Rosario Weiss Zorrilla, who was herself a skilled artist. Look closely, and you will see that the work is rendered in chalk or graphite, and the paper has aged to a warm, sepia tone. The medium of drawing is direct: a sharpened point applied to a prepared surface. In the early 19th century, drawing was a fundamental skill, one that underpinned both the fine arts and the trades. Its accessibility made it a crucial tool for both personal expression, and the transmission of knowledge. The visible strokes, the artist's hand, convey immediacy. But don't let this fool you into thinking that the drawing was quickly done. Consider the labour involved: the sharpening of the tool, the careful building up of tone, the conscious act of looking. Weiss Zorrilla shows us not just the likeness of Goya, but also the value of close observation and skilled handwork. By drawing our attention to process, she reminds us of the rich context that underpins all forms of creative production.