Bravo! (Brabisimo!), Plate 38 from: Los Caprichos

‘In this work, a monkey strums the back of a guitar (thus, no strings!) and appears to be much appreciated by the donkey. Two figures in the background appear to be making fun of the scene. The title of Brabisimo! is further clarified by the Madrid Biblioteca Nacional text: ‘When it is fashionable, even donkeys applaud bad music when others come and say brabismo'. (Eleanor) Sayre points out that some texts identify Manuel Godoy, Queen Maria-Luisa's lover, with the monkey and the donkey with King Carlos IV. However, Godoy also could have been associated with the donkey. In either case, this print could be seen possibly as ridiculing the musical evenings organized by Godoy for the king and queen.’

Johnson, R. S., Francisco Goya, Los Caprichos, R.S. Johnson Fine Art, Chicago, 1992, p. 102.