"The naked Maja" (see related A) Francisco de Goya (1746-1828) Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain

NOTE: Maria del Pilar Teresa Cayetana, Duchess of Alba, was, at the time, among the most beautiful and brilliant women. The head and face shown here may have been disfigured to avoid linking her with these portrayals. Historians affirm that shortly after she became a young widow, the countess retired to a palace in Rocia in Andalusia. Shortly after, Goya was her guest and it was then that he produced the paintings for the countess.