Si yo tubiera balcon? (If I only had a balcony?)
Print on paper, likely an etching or lithograph with hand-coloring • Attributed to the circle of Francisco de Goya or Antonio Rodríguez (Spanish School). Part of the 'Gritos de Madrid' (Cries of Madrid) series tradition.
Style & Movement
Costumbrismo / Romanticism. Specifically within the genre of 'Street Cries' (Los Gritos), documenting urban trades and social types.
Medium & Technique
Etching or lithograph with hand-applied watercolor washes. The technique utilizes line work for anatomical and garment definition with flat to graduated color applications.
Creation Period
Late 18th to mid-19th Century (c. 1790–1850)
Dimensions & Format
Small format print; estimated 15 x 10 cm (image) in a vertical portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A street vendor or laborer carrying a large potted plant on his shoulder. He is depicted in traditional Spanish attire including breeches and a short jacket. The caption is a humorous or poignant play on words regarding urban living conditions and social status in Madrid.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paper shows natural age-toning and some minor foxing/discoloration consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $450 USD
Auction Estimate
$150 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Likely part of a larger bound volume of 'Los Gritos de Madrid' plates, later separated and framed individually. Plate numbered '24' in the upper right corner.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a document of Spanish social history and folk culture. 'Cries' series were popular across Europe (London, Paris, Madrid) but the Spanish variants are particularly noted for their distinctive 'Majismo' style and influence on Romantic artists.
Notable Features
Includes the series title 'Gritos de Madrid' and plate number 24. The archaic spelling in the caption ('tubiera' instead of modern 'tuviera') assists in dating the work to the pre-reform Spanish orthography period.
Condition Issues
Visible yellowing of the paper (acidification), minor staining near the margins, and slight fading of the green pigment in the hand-coloring.
Conservation Recommendations
Use of UV-filtering glass, acid-free archival mounting, and maintaining a stable environment away from direct sunlight.