FRANCISCO GOYA (1746-1828) THE FORGE Canvas, 491/2 inches by 71/2 inches

INTERIOR of a blacksmith's shop, full-length figures of three men standing around an anvil. A stalwart young man with black curly hair holds the red hot iron with the tongs, a grey-haired man with stubby beard appears to be holding a cutting-off tool, while the third man, with his back to the spectator, is vigorously wielding his sledge. At right, in the background, one can see the faintly-glowing fire of the forge. The general tone is a harmonious blending of gray, yellow, black and white "a picture painted with genius at full pressure." It was formerly in the collections of King Louis Philippe, and of Lord Taunton. Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes was born of humble parents at Fuentetodos in Aragon, March 30th. 1746. He studied under Jose Luxan Martinez, and later went to Italy where he met and fraternized with Louis David. In 1774 he returned to Spain, married and worked industriously at his art, painting a vast number of pictures of the most varied character, as well as making numerous etchings, engravings and aquatints. He died in 1828. 71 GE