Men hunting birds using a decoy
ca. 1812-20
Francisco de Goya sketched this scene of bird hunters in one of his private albums, likely during the chaotic years of the Peninsular War around 1812. You can see two men huddled together—one aiming a long gun at a distant flock while a decoy perches on a pole, doing the hard work of luring them in. The loose, scribbly style is classic Goya; he wasn't going for a polished portrait here, but rather a quick, raw snapshot of Spanish life. It’s a fascinating glimpse into his sketchbooks, where he recorded everything from everyday hobbies to the darker sides of human nature.
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