Francisco Goya

Third of May, Black Paintings — the first modern painter

The last Old Master and the first modern painter. His career spans from charming Rococo tapestry cartoons through the savage indictment of The Third of May to the terrifying Black Paintings of his deaf old age. No artist has ever recorded human cruelty and madness with such unflinching power.

Key works

• The Third of May 18081814— The firing squad — modern war painting begins here
  Museo del Prado, Madrid
• Black Paintings1819-1823— Saturn Devouring His Son — art at the edge of sanity
  Museo del Prado, Madrid
• Los Caprichos1799— 80 etchings — the sleep of reason produces monsters
  Numerous impressions — Prado, Madrid; British Museum, London

Connections

External