Friar Pedro Clubs El Maragato with the Butt of the Gun
1806 Art Institute of Chicago
About this artwork
This painting is one in a series depicting the struggle between the legendary bandit El Maragato and the Franciscan friar Pedro de Zaldivia. It focuses on the dramatic moment of confrontation where the friar uses a firearm to subdue the criminal.
Did you know?
This work belongs to a series of six small paintings that narrate the true story of how Friar Pedro famously captured the notorious bandit El Maragato. Goya utilized a cinematic, sequential approach to tell this dramatic tale, emphasizing the raw physical struggle between the religious figure and the outlaw. The series is considered one of the earliest examples of narrative storytelling in art that closely resembles a comic strip or storyboard format.
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Friar Pedro Clubs El Maragato with the Butt of the Gun
Francisco Goya, 1806