In his famous painting, Goya portrays the Marchioness de Villafranca as an artist with brush and maulstick in her hand. She has interrupted her work at the easel and leaning back in her armchair, she is scrutinising her model, her husband—invisible to the viewer—who is posing for his portrait. He must have been seated facing sideways with his profile to the artist, unable to turn the attention to his wife until the picture was done.
In his renowned artwork, Goya depicts the Marchioness de Villafranca as an artist holding a brush and maulstick in her hand. She has paused from painting at her easel and reclining back in her armchair; she is examining her model, her husband—unseen by the viewer—who is posing for his portrait. He must have been seated facing sideways with his profile to the artist, unable to direct attention to his wife until the piece was completed.