In the Prado Museum, one of the most prestigious museums in the world, is one of the most frightening and mysterious collections in the history of the arts: History of the Arts: The The The The The THEE Goya black paintingsThis series of work was drawn by the field Francisco de Goya At the last stage of his life, when he was already affected by deafness and lived in the city on the outskirts of Madrid, known as Fifth from SortoThese paintings are distinguished not only by their gloomy and expressive style, but also for the technician that Goya used, not paying attention to the artistic agreements of that time.
Why are they called black paintings?
Term “Black paintings” This applies to both the dark and dramatic tones of the work and the gloomy problems with which they are solved. Goya in his isolation postponed traditional ideas about beauty and harmony in order to give way to a more rude and disturbing vision of reality.
The scenes of these paintings are full of violence, death, darkness and suffering. From Saturn devours the childOne of the most famous, even demonic figures and terrible scenes, Goya conveyed his personal suffering and his vision of the world in these works, in which despair dominates.
Influence of darkness: Prado room in the dark
Although Black paintings Goya is currently exhibited at the Prado Museum, the experience of seeing them in their originality has a unique feature. To be able to observe them correctly, it is necessary See them in the darkThis detail is not just aesthetic, but refers to the atmosphere that Goya wanted to call: a gloomy atmosphere, a deep contrast between light and darkness, which enhances the drama of the scenes.
The Prado Museum offers a unique tour of the most fearless, creating a unique atmosphere in the room where these paintings are located. Experience is complemented by special lighting, which helps to create the right environment for a deeper connection with emotions that Goya wanted to convey. The tension of their blows, the complexity of the topics and the mixture of terrifying with the exalted enliven in the other way when we were considered in the darkness, generating a unique sensory experience.
Historical context and Goya technique
A Black paintings They were created between 1819 and 1823, the period when Goya experienced physical and emotional deterioration from the deafness that he suffered, a serious disease that noted him deeply. These works were drawn directly on the walls of the fifth sorto, where the artist starred after his departure from the Spanish court. Goya used the technique of mixed oil on plaster, draw energy vagrancy and dark contrasts that cause a strong emotional reaction in the viewer.
The series does not follow a clear narrative program, but several repeating topics appear in the paintings: Violence, madness, death And the obvious criticism of religion and policies of that time. Through images Witch, demons, monsters And Gloomy scenesGoya expressed his vision of the world, more and more pessimistic and disappointed with the horrors of war, oppression and moral decline of society.
Restoration and heritage of black paintings
In 1874, the restorer of the Prado Museum, Salvador Martinez CubellsThe paintings of the walls of the fifth part of Sorto began the paintings of the walls and transferred them to the canvases. These paintings were initially ignored at their exhibition at the universal exhibition of Paris in 1878, they soon gained the fame that they deserved. In 1881, they were donated to the Spanish state, and since then they are in the Prado Museum, where they became one of the most visited and studied works in the collection.
A Recovery Of the black paintings, this is evidence of the caution with which these works are preserved, maintaining the integrity of their blows and colors, and also improve their visibility for the public. Currently, studies on the significance of black paintings remain debates among experts, but their emotional impact on those who observe them is undeniable.