Art Institute of Chicago

Friar Pedro Wrests the Gun from El Maragato

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (Spanish, 1746–1828)

Date

c. 1806

Medium

Oil on panel

Culture

Spain

Department

Painting and Sculpture of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

In small, lively paintings made for his own pleasure or for a few discerning patrons, Francisco de Goya explored satirical and popular aspects of Spanish life. This series was inspired by a contemporary event, the capture of notorious criminal El Maragato by Friar Pedro de Saldivia in 1806. After escaping from prison, El Maragato spent two months stealing food, guns, and money before trying to take Friar Pedro and other innocent people hostage. The friar outsmarted the bandit, however, seizing his gun, shooting him in the thigh as he tried to flee, and finally tying him up. This story was extremely popular in the early 19th century and Spanish artists memorialized it in images, poems, and songs.

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