Aesop the Fabulist

Aesop the Fabulist is a reduced copy of Velázquez’s original painting, which was then housed in the Royal Palace of Madrid. Goya studied this exceptional 17th-century sevillian artist, whom he admired and from whom he learned a great deal. Goya faithfully copies Velázquez, yet without losing his own personality and mastery. Aesop, a slave of the philosopher Janto, appears poorly dressed, holding a book in his right hand. This painting served as the basis for the etching he created in 1778.

The manner in which the painting was executed highlights the style this aragonese painter employed at that time.