The Milkmaid of Bordeaux
Encyclopedia
The Milkmaid of Bordeaux (Spanish: La lechera de burdeos) is an oil on canvas painting completed between 1825–27, generally attributed to the Spanish artist Francisco Goya
(1746–1828). Although the picture is held in great esteem and widely admired by critics and the public, doubt has been cast by art historians as to whether it is an actual Goya. If authentic then it is likely a portrait of either Rosario Weiss
, or more likely, her mother Leocadia Weiss
—the artist's nurse during the last years of his life. Leocadia cared for Goya in exile in Bordeaux
, where he settled to live among politically liberal friends.
Following his death, the painting was willed to his last child, Javier (b. 1784). Financial difficulties a year later forced her to sell it to Juan Bautista de Muguiro, a distant relative. Muguiro's descendants donated the work to the Museo del Prado
in 1946, where it remains a popular exhibit at the gallery, despite doubts as to its origin.
Rosario was later a painter, and it is sometimes claimed that she may have been the creator of this work. However, when compared to the relatively amateur works of hers held in the Academia de San Fernando, it is generally considered highly unlikely.
Francisco Goya
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker regarded both as the last of the Old Masters and the first of the moderns. Goya was a court painter to the Spanish Crown, and through his works was both a commentator on and chronicler of his era...
(1746–1828). Although the picture is held in great esteem and widely admired by critics and the public, doubt has been cast by art historians as to whether it is an actual Goya. If authentic then it is likely a portrait of either Rosario Weiss
Rosario Weiss
Maria del Rosario Weiss was a student and possibly a daughter of Francisco de Goya. She was officially a daughter of don Isidore Weiss and Dona Leocadia Zorrilla, the latter - a housekeeper in the house of Goya and his lover since the death of the painter's wife Josefa Bayeu in 1812.-External...
, or more likely, her mother Leocadia Weiss
Leocadia (Goya)
La Leocadia or The Seductress are names given to an oil on linen painting by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya , completed sometime between 1819–23, as one of Goya's series of 14 "Black Paintings". It shows a woman commonly identified as Goya's maid, companion and possibly lover, Leocadia Weiss...
—the artist's nurse during the last years of his life. Leocadia cared for Goya in exile in Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
, where he settled to live among politically liberal friends.
Following his death, the painting was willed to his last child, Javier (b. 1784). Financial difficulties a year later forced her to sell it to Juan Bautista de Muguiro, a distant relative. Muguiro's descendants donated the work to the Museo del Prado
Museo del Prado
The Museo del Prado is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It features one of the world's finest collections of European art, from the 12th century to the early 19th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, and unquestionably the best single collection of...
in 1946, where it remains a popular exhibit at the gallery, despite doubts as to its origin.
Rosario was later a painter, and it is sometimes claimed that she may have been the creator of this work. However, when compared to the relatively amateur works of hers held in the Academia de San Fernando, it is generally considered highly unlikely.