The Nude Maja
c. 1797-1800 Museo del Prado
About this artwork
This life-size oil painting on canvas depicts a reclining nude woman, known as a maja, resting on a green upholstered fainting couch. It is one of the most famous examples of Spanish art from the turn of the 19th century, commissioned by Manuel de Godoy.
Did you know?
This painting was highly controversial during its time, as it was one of the first Western depictions of a woman's pubic hair in fine art. Its owner, Manuel de Godoy, famously hid it behind a clothed version of the same pose (The Clothed Maja) to protect it from the moralizing scrutiny of the Spanish Inquisition. It remains a central piece in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
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The Nude Maja
Francisco Goya, c. 1797-1800
