Portrait of the Actress Antonia Zarate by Francisco Goya

Antonia Zarate was an actress, member of psychological theatre which was very popular in Spain then. She was famous and loved. Antonia and Francisco were true friends and she was always there for him during his “times of troubles”. Here Antonia is depicted being very sick. She had tuberculosis which was not curable in those days. They both knew she was going, so it is very personal and very sad work by Goya. It was his last farewell to his beloved friend Antonia. She died soon after the portrait was finished.