The Strolling Players 1793

Francisco Goya painted *The Strolling Players* in oil on canvas, and though undated, it was likely made towards the end of the 18th century. The image shows a motley crew of actors performing on a makeshift stage, the theatrical nature of which might have been understood by Goya's contemporaries as a reflection of the social theater that constituted the royal court. Goya was working as court painter at this time, and this work is thought to be critical of the Bourbon monarchy. The artist uses the Commedia dell'Arte figures, such as Harlequin, to satirize the superficiality and artificiality of court life. We can understand this painting as an instance of the artist using his position within the royal institution to critique the very foundations of its power. To understand this work more completely, we would need to examine the political climate of Spain at the time, the history of the Bourbon monarchy, and the cultural significance of the Commedia dell'Arte tradition. These resources would help us understand how Goya was working within a specific social and institutional context to create a powerful critique of the society around him.