Majas on a Balcony
ca. 1800-1810
Two fashionable young women, known as 'majas,' lean casually over a balcony railing, their bright dresses and lace mantillas glowing against the dark background. Behind them loom two shadowy, cloaked figures—likely their chaperones or jealous suitors—adding a layer of mystery and tension to the scene. Goya captured the vibrant spirit of Madrid street life here, contrasting the flirtatious gaze of the women with the ominous presence of the men. This scene was so iconic that it later inspired Édouard Manet to create his own (somewhat awkward) copy of the composition!
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
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