Esto si que es leer. (That certainly is being able to read.) — History & Facts
In Esto si que es leer, Francisco de Goya presents a humorous scene filled with vibrant colors. The painting features a group of figures engaged in reading, with exaggerated expressions that convey their amusement. The setting is lively, likely depicting a social gathering where reading is a source of entertainment.
Goya's use of warm tones adds to the inviting atmosphere of the scene. The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a medium that allows for rich color application and texture. Goya's technique showcases his ability to blend realism with a touch of caricature, emphasizing the humor in the figures' expressions. The dimensions are approximately 60 x 80 cm, making it a medium-sized work that draws viewers in.
The composition is balanced, with figures arranged to create a sense of interaction and movement. Francisco de Goya was a prominent Spanish painter known for his critical and often satirical approach to society. This work, created in the late 18th century, reflects Goya's interest in the social dynamics of his time. An interesting fact about this painting is its playful commentary on literacy and the act of reading, which was becoming increasingly important in Spanish society.
Goya's ability to blend humor with social critique makes this piece a notable example of his genre scenes.
More Artworks by Francisco de Goya

El sueño de la razon produce moustruos (Serie Caprichos)
Francisco de Goya

Portrait of Doña María Teresa de Vallabriga y Rozas (1759-1820)
Francisco de Goya

Portrait of the Duchess of Osuna
Francisco de Goya

Queen of Spain Maria Louisa, née Bourbon-Parma
Francisco de Goya

Queen María Luisa on horseback
Francisco de Goya

Y no hai remedio
Francisco de Goya

The Immaculate Conception
Francisco de Goya

Portrait of Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos
Francisco de Goya

Portrait of Maria Josefa of Spain
Francisco de Goya

Charles IV in his Hunting Clothes
Francisco de Goya
More Genre Scene Art

Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
Frans Hals

Rembrandt and Saskia in the Scene of the Prodigal Son
Rembrandt van Rijn

Bal du moulin de la Galette
Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Quadrille at the Moulin Rouge
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

A Burial at Ornans
Gustave Courbet

When Will You Marry?
Paul Gauguin
