That the rope breaks

The sketch shows few modifications with respect to the print, although these are really important for the interpretation of the image. In it, the figure walking on the tightrope wears a papal tiara which has been removed from the print. This suggests that Goya was referring to Pope Pius VII and that, when he undertook the execution of the print, he decided to avoid this explicit allusion, which could have caused him quite a few problems.

He also kept one of the buildings in the background in the engraving, which in the preparatory drawing are several and are projected in depth. In this way he clears the space and concentrates the attention on the figure who is walking and balancing on the rope. In the preparatory drawing, the faces of those who are carefully observing the scene have not been outlined with the same precision as in the print.