Bestand:La cucaña.jpg

(b. 1746, Fuendetodos, d. 1828, Bordeaux)

The Greasy Pole (La Cucana) 1786-87 Oil on canvas, 169 x 88 cm Private collection

Painted at the same time as La Caída, La Cucana is described in Goya's account: 'a maypole, as in a village square, with boys climbing up it to win a prize of chickens and roscas [ring-shaped biscuits] that are hanging on top, and several people watching, with a background to correspond'. The small scale of the figures in relation to the background is a feature of all the paintings of this series. Later, in 1799, the Duke acquired seven of the sketches for tapestry cartoons that were never executed, to add to the collection of 'country subjects' painted by Goya for his country residence. Goya also painted portraits of the Duke and Duchess and a family group with their children (Museo del Prado, Madrid).

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Author: GOYA Y LUCIENTES, Francisco de Title: The Greasy Pole (La Cucana) Form: painting Time-line: 1801-1850 School: Spanish