Art Insights - The Milkmaid of Bordeaux by Francisco Goya

Known as one of the greatest Spanish painters of all time, Goya created artworks with a great variety of themes and motifs — from royal portraits to epic depictions of the wartime horrors. The Milkmaid of Bordeaux was created during the final years of the legendary artist. As the name of this painting suggests, it was done in the French city Bordeaux, and after his death, The Milkmaid of Bordeaux became a reason for a dispute between Goya’s maid and his son Javier who was keen to keep all the works his father created. He understood the value those had.

The path of Goya towards this artwork was long and rocky. The beginning of the 19th-century saw wars and political intrigues shattering his homeland Spain. In 1808, Napoleon’s armies invaded Spanish lands, and they tried to oppress the local rebellions for years. However, the intense guerrilla war of raids and ambushes eventually played a major part in the eventual French defeat.

Peninsular War led to the change of power in Spain for a while, and its throne was taken by Napoleon’s older brother Joseph I. Until the war, Goya was working for the royal court, and during the French invasion, he somehow managed to remain in his place. There were speculations about his possible sympathies towards the French, but it still remains unknown how he retained himself at the royal court.

The Milkmaid of Bordeaux (1827) by Francisco Goya. Oil on canvas, 74 cm x 68 cm.

In 1812, Goya’s wife Josefa died, and afterward, the Spanish painter spent most of his time in Quinta del Sordo which was also known as The House of the Deaf Man (due to the fact that he became deaf). When the Spanish monarchy was restored, King Ferdinand VII rejected the liberal ideas that earned popularity during the war. Goya was working under the king’s grandfather Charles III and father Charles IV, but he was always known as a sympathizer of liberalism. Ferdinand VII was no fan of the free-thinking attitude, and he once said to Goya: “You deserve to be hanged!”

King was also keen to restore old conservative values. Among the leading preservers of these values were the Jesuit Order and the Spanish Inquisition. Goya’s works also gained some attention from the Inquisition, and he did not feel safe in Spain anymore. Afraid of the possible persecutions, the 78-year-old painter took his maid Leocadia Weiss and her daughter Rosario with him to Bordeaux.

Weiss is believed to be the last love in the life of Goya. She was 35 years younger than the elderly painter, but the age gap did not scare her away. Weiss left her wealthy husband to take care of Goya, who had various health issues and was left alone after the death of his wife. They spent together the Goya’s final years in Bordeaux, and the famous painter had a great admiration towards the daughter of Weiss.

Some even had a theory that The Milkmaid of Bordeaux was painted by Rosario — under the guidance of the Spanish master. There also were many speculations that Goya greatly admired her because Rosario was his daughter. There might be some truth in such a theory. Goya’s wife Josefa had seven pregnancies, but only one of their children lived past infancy and into adulthood. They experienced a lot of struggle together, and Rosario was a ray of light for the fading man. She also had a talent for drawing and painting, having a chance to learn from Goya as well.

The painter believed that Rosario could become a great artist in the future. He expressed his admiration towards her talent in one of his letters to a friend: “This amazing child and miniature painter want to learn, and I am willing to help her. It could bring a phenomenal talent to the world after she grows up”.

The Milkmaid of Bordeaux had the typical characteristics of Goya’s works. However, it is hard to call this portrait well-detailed or complex. Most likely, Goya did a lot to make this painting, but there could have been some touches of brush added by the young girl. It could have been their co-work. You must consider the fact that the once highly-demanded painter lived his final years quietly, and Rosario was probably the sole reason to keep fighting against all the heavy weight that his old age carried. To give her a chance to work together with an accomplished master was the least Goya could do. Especially, considering the fact that the portrait was inspired by her mother.

However, after the death of the Spanish master in 1828, The Milkmaid of Bordeaux was willed to his son Javier. Eventually, the work found its way to the Museo del Prado. It holds several iconic works of Goya. This artwork might have been not as impressive in terms of its motifs or the message it could have carried. Still, The Milkmaid of Bordeaux remains a controversial piece of art that embodies some of the common, but very important emotions of humans nature. Love and nostalgia led the direction of the final touches of the iconic Spanish artist.

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