Heavier Than a Dead Donkey (Pesa Mas Que un Burro Muerto) — History & Facts
In Heavier Than a Dead Donkey, Francisco de Goya presents a vibrant scene filled with earthy tones. The figures are depicted in a moment of struggle, surrounded by a chaotic environment. The use of dark and muted colors adds to the emotional weight of the scene.
The expressions on the characters' faces convey a sense of urgency and despair. This painting is executed in oil on canvas, showcasing Goya's skillful brushwork and attention to detail. The dimensions are approximately 100 x 150 cm, making it a substantial work that draws the viewer in. The composition is dynamic, with figures arranged in a way that leads the eye through the scene.
Goya's technique highlights the textures of the clothing and the rugged landscape. Francisco de Goya was a pivotal figure in Spanish art, bridging the gap between the Old Masters and modernity. This work, created around 1786, reflects Goya's interest in social themes and the human condition. An interesting fact about this painting is that it critiques the burdens of society, symbolized by the dead donkey.
Goya's ability to blend realism with emotional depth makes this piece significant in his oeuvre.
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
