Two Old Ones Eating Soup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Two Old Ones Eating Soup |
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| Spanish: Dos viejos comiendo sopa | |
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| Artist | Francisco Goya |
| Year | c. 1819–1823 |
| Medium | Oil mural transferred to canvas |
| Dimensions | 49.3 cm × 83.4 cm (19.4 in × 32.8 in) |
| Location | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
Two Old Ones Eating Soup (Spanish: Dos viejos comiendo sopa) is a famous painting by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya. It is sometimes also called Two Witches. Goya created this artwork between 1819 and 1823 when he was in his 70s. This painting is one of fourteen special artworks known as the "Black Paintings". Goya painted these directly onto the walls inside his home, which was called the Quinta del Sordo (meaning "House of the Deaf Man"). He never intended for these paintings to be seen by the public.
Like the other "Black Paintings," this artwork was later moved from the wall onto a canvas. This happened between 1874 and 1878. A curator from the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Salvador Martínez Cubells, oversaw this careful process. The owner of the paintings, Baron Émile d'Erlanger, gave them to the Spanish government in 1881. Today, you can see "Two Old Ones Eating Soup" at the Prado Museum in Madrid.
About Goya's Black Paintings
Goya painted the "Black Paintings" during a difficult time in his life. He was in his mid-70s and felt very disappointed with the world. These paintings show his deep feelings and thoughts. They were not meant to be pretty or decorative. Instead, they were very personal expressions. "Two Old Ones Eating Soup" was likely placed above the main door in Goya's house. It was near other famous "Black Paintings" like La Leocadia and Two Old Men.
What the Painting Shows
In "Two Old Ones Eating Soup," you see two older figures leaning forward from a dark background. It is believed they are men, but their gender is not completely clear. The person on the left has a mouth that looks like a grimace. This might be because they have lost their teeth. The other figure's face looks very different. It hardly seems alive at all. Its eyes are dark, empty spaces, and its head looks a lot like a skull.
Goya's Painting Style
Goya's skill in painting is very clear in this artwork, just like in his other "Black Paintings." He used paint freely and quickly, but with great confidence. This shows his many years of experience as an artist. He even used a palette knife to apply paint in some areas, which adds texture. The only colors Goya used in this painting are dark ones: blacks, ochres (yellowish-browns), earth tones, and grays. This limited color palette is typical of all his "Black Paintings."
See also
- List of works by Francisco Goya
- In Spanish: Dos viejos comiendo sopa para niños
