Maja and an officer 1795 - 1797

Editor: Here we have "Maja and an Officer," a pencil drawing by Francisco de Goya, created sometime between 1795 and 1797. It feels very intimate, almost like a stolen moment. What stands out to you? Curator: I see a record of artistic labour. Consider the immediacy of pencil on paper – a relatively accessible technology, even in Goya’s time. It democratizes image production, compared to, say, oil painting commissioned by the elite. Editor: So, you are saying the medium itself speaks to the social context? Curator: Precisely. And what does it tell us about production? This isn't just a drawing; it’s a potential prototype. The materials chosen facilitate experimentation, reproduction, and wider dissemination of Goya’s vision. Note the visible page numbers - 22 and 3- at the top of the image. Editor: I hadn't considered that! So it's less about the finished piece, and more about the means to that end? Curator: Indeed. Focus on the “how” and the “why.” Goya isn’t just depicting a scene. He is documenting a process, making his art and artistic process accessible to others by distributing copies, thereby changing modes of art consumption. Editor: That gives me a completely new understanding of this drawing. Curator: It speaks to art's evolution, its availability, and consumption. Hopefully this dialogue is helping listeners broaden their appreciation of the context around artmaking. Editor: I will certainly view Goya and other drawings with a materialist lens going forward!