The Duchess of Alba Arranging her Hair 1796

Curator: Good morning. Here we see "The Duchess of Alba Arranging her Hair," a drawing rendered by Francisco de Goya in 1796. Editor: I'm immediately struck by its loose, almost frantic energy. The charcoal feels so gestural. The way she's holding her hair is almost desperate. Curator: Indeed. The nervous energy of the line, its very materiality, emphasizes the Duchess's figure. The stark contrast between the white dress and dark shading certainly draws the eye upward. Note also how the dress anchors her body within the overall pictorial space. Editor: I'm interested in the public image of the Duchess during this period. The Alba family held significant political and economic power in Spain. How does this quick sketch contrast with the formal commissioned portraits of the time, often meant to reinforce that power? This feels… vulnerable. Curator: Excellent question. While a more traditional, commissioned painting would have presented an idealized, highly formal view of the Duchess, here, in this sketch, Goya emphasizes her corporeality. The expressiveness, perhaps, undermines any pretense of aloof aristocracy. The lines aren't polished or perfect; they convey a kind of human reality. Editor: Do you think Goya, known for his satirical eye, was consciously subverting the visual tropes of the aristocratic portrait? Was it a way of suggesting cracks in the façade of nobility? Or, given that the work isn't rendered in full color, does its completion speak of her personal status with him and his level of remuneration? Curator: That's plausible. There is, as you observe, a satirical edge to much of Goya's work, reflecting social anxieties and perhaps, personal critique. And her private status is a compelling reading for such an intimate portrayal, and perhaps why Goya chose materials more associated with studies and sketching. The very looseness becomes a potent form of commentary. It asks us to question not just the sitter, but the society that constructs her image. Editor: Fascinating. It definitely changes how I view Goya's other, grander depictions of powerful figures. This lends so much humanity to them. Curator: Precisely. It provides another angle with which we are permitted to view portraiture and the powerful figures within.