English

Manuel Osorio Manrique de Zuñiga (1784–1792)

1787–88
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 641
Outfitted in a splendid red costume, the son of the count and countess of Altamira is shown between a cage of finches and three wide-eyed cats who appear captivated by the boy’s pet magpie. In its beak the magpie holds Goya’s calling card and signature. Goya may have intended this cast of animals as a reminder of the frail boundaries that separate the child’s world from the forces of evil, or as a commentary on the fleeting nature of innocence and youth. Manuel died only a few years after his portrait was painted, at the age of eight.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Manuel Osorio Manrique de Zuñiga (1784–1792)
  • Artist: Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes) (Spanish, Fuendetodos 1746–1828 Bordeaux)
  • Date: 1787–88
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 50 x 40 in. (127 x 101.6 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Jules Bache Collection, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.7.41
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

Audio

Cover Image for 5110. Manuel Osorio Manrique de Zuñiga (1784–1792)

5110. Manuel Osorio Manrique de Zuñiga (1784–1792)

0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.

    Listen to more about this artwork

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.