The Swing

Presented on July 20, 1779 for the antechamber of the Prince and Princess of Asturias at the Royal Palace of El Pardo, "...it shows a family who have gone out into the countryside to enjoy themselves. There are 4 children and 3 servant girls, one of whom is swinging on a rope hanging from a tree while another holds the reins on the smallest child. The servants and children are the main group in the image. In the background, a coach and coachman are waiting and there are several shepherds with cattle. It is 9 feet and 8 fingers tall, 6 feet wide, and its value is 5,000 Spanish reals." ("...repres.ta una familia q.e an salido al canpo a dibertirsen, quatro niños y tres criadas la una se esta colunpeando en una cuerda q.e esta asida a un arbol y otra tiene a el niño chiquito de los andadores, las tres con los niños forman el grupo principal del quadro, y a lo lejos un coche esperando con el cochero y hunos pastores con ganado bacuno. Su medida de alto nueve pies y ocho dedos, ancho seis pies, su balor cinco mil reales de vellon". Francisco de Goya). The Goya canvas is now at the Prado Museum.

The tapestry in the cathedral collection came from the estate of Don Pedro Acuña y Malvar. He had acquired it from Don Fernando Gomendi, who had bought it at public auction along with some other works in 1794.