July 2008

Two souvenir sheets are devoted to the National Heritage (Patrimonio Nacional) issue depicting two tapestries “The swing” and “The blind man and the guitar” both made from tapestry cartoons by Goya with the thematic know as “Custom paintings”. These two tapestries, manufactured by the Real Fábrica de Madrid, were woven under the supervision of Cornelio Vandergoten, descendant of a family of master upholsterers from Antwerp whom in 1774 was in charge of the factory. Goya began making cartoons for the Real Fábrica in 1775 and did the portrait of Vandergoten, now exhibited in the Prado Museum, as director of this tapestry institution until 1782.

The swing

Both these tapestries belonging to the royal collection are made of wool and silk and are part of a series of thirteen pieces made to decorate the antechamber of the bedrooms of Carlos de Borbón and Maria Luisa de Parma, in the El Pardo palace. In both tapestries predominate the popular customs style of Goya’s early years which continued throughout his career in tapestries and minor paintings.

“The Swing” tapestry represents a family that has gone to the country for diversion, four children and three maids, one of whom is swinging on a cord whilst the other holds a small child. In the background are shepherds, a coach driver and other the servants. Goya makes a peculiar interpretation of the rococo style.

The blind man and the guitar

The other tapestry called “The blind man and the guitar”, depicts a blind man with his guide and other figures watching him. The scene takes place in the Cebada plaza in Madrid on a market day where vendors, rogues and all sort of people gather. In this composition, Goya displays a less class-minded, more colourful and easy going approach both in the strokes and colours.