Part 1, Scene 2 Summary

This scene takes place at the home of famous Spanish painter, Francisco Goya, who is now seventy-six years old. Goya has gone deaf as a result of an illness earlier in his life. He hears noises that no one else hears and has visions bordering on the hallucinatory.

Goya has been watching the palace across the river and is startled by the meow of a non-existent cat. Goya calls for his housekeeper and mistress, Leocadia, who is estranged from her husband. Leocadia arrives and Goya uses sign language to tell her that he has heard the voice of Mariquita, his daughter. Mariquita, however, has been sent to the home of a friend because her mother, Leocadia, fears for the child's safety because of Goya's position of disfavor with the king.

Goya is perturbed and leaves the house because he cannot paint...