Dead Woodcocks (Chochas muertas)

As in Dead Fowl, Goya has depicted an untidy heap of dead birds in front of a neutral background. As well as the woodcocks of the title, there are other bird species visible here; in the foreground he has painted a water bird and to the right-hand side we can make out what looks very much like a duck.

The light picks out from the black background the bodies of the animals, which Goya has captured in a limited colour palette composed chiefly of ochres and browns. The bird's bills, however, are made using long strokes of dark red paint. The bird in the middle of the heap has both legs and one of its wings held rigid, suggesting that it has been caught very recently. This same device was used in the painting entitled Dead Turkey, in this same series.

For more information, see Pieces of Lamb.