Children Playing Leapfrog (Niños jugando a pídola)

Here we see a group of seven children playing leapfrog. The scene takes place outdoors, in front of a backdrop of sheets hung out to dry and, further back, some buildings. The Aragonese artist has recreated a number of different postures typical to this game, from the upright position of one child who is getting ready to jump, to the bent over posture of the person to be jumped over, as well as what happens when someone takes a tumble. It is possible that Goya was inspired to paint this picture by the work entitled Children Playing Leapfrog (Niños jugando al filderecho) (Ca. 1725, Palacio de la Granja, National Heritage, Segovia), which Michel-Ange Houasse (Paris, 1680-Arpajon, 1730) painted during his stay in Spain.

The rapid, thick brushstrokes with which he captures the boys' clothing contrasts with the lighter touches used in the buildings in the background. Goya has painted the scenery in light, cold tones, helping to set off the dark silhouettes of the children at play.

There exist four copies of Children Playing Leapfrog. One of them can be found in the Santamarca collection in Madrid, another in the Ródenas collection, and the last two in private collections in Barcelona and Madrid.

For more information, see Children playing soldiers.