Manuel María: Background

Manuel María was the youngest son of the count of Altamira. Goya came to work for the count and countess of Altamira because of the artist’s longstanding connection with the royal families and aristocrats of Spain. In addition to painting the young son, Goya also painted portraits of Manuel María’s father, his mother, his eldest brother, and his sister. The paintings were to be hung in the Altamira palace along with works done by other artists. Because Manuel María was the youngest son, he was not the heir to the estate so Goya had more freedom in his portrait. The child is shown wearing very bright and fun play clothes as opposed to royal suits like his brother. Manuel is shown in the traditional Spanish play clothes during the time and he is shown with his hair naturally as opposed to held back in a wig. Additionally, he does not have the rigorous standing position like that of his father and older brother who have their hand tucked in their jacket, but rather he is lax and involved with the pets in the portrait. These aspects of contrasting light and colors bring out the youth in the boy’s face, and his physical characteristics add to the idea that he is just a child and nothing more. He is not yet to be looked at as an adult like his older brother who wears the noble garb; rather he is painted as an eternal child.