Back to gallery
No More, No Less

Art Appreciation

This intriguing artwork presents a surreal scene where a donkey and a monkey seemingly engage in a creative interaction. The donkey is seated upright, its front legs extended as if replying or reaching out to the monkey, who sits opposite on a block, wielding a paintbrush and palette with an artist's intent. Behind them looms a dark, rectangular structure featuring the faded profile of another horse's head, subtly adding depth and mystery to the composition. The interplay of these anthropomorphized animals evokes a blend of humor and satire, a hallmark of the artist’s style.

Rendered through delicate etching with a limited monochromatic palette, this piece uses fine lines and shading that create texture and volume against a muted background. The composition balances simplicity and complexity—while the animals dominate the foreground with curious expressions and gestures, the somber backdrop and the horse’s indirect gaze lend a timeless, almost theatrical atmosphere. The handwritten inscription beneath reads “Ni mas ni menos,” which translates as "No more, no less," adding a layer of ironic commentary that invites viewers to ponder notions of equality, talent, or perhaps the absurdity of artistic endeavor itself. The overall effect is at once whimsical and thought-provoking, wrapping social critique in playful imagery.

No More, No Less

Francisco Goya

Category:

Created:

Date unknown

Likes:

0

Dimensions:

2329 × 3000 px

Download:

Related artworks

Gabrielle Vallotton seated in a rocking chair
Portrait of Mademoiselle Legrand
Friar Pedro offers shoes to el Maragato and Prepares to Push Aside his gun
Portrait of Tage Thiel 1915
Digging peasant, seen from the rear
Saints Justa and Rufina
Portrait of Poly, fisherman at Kervillaouen