Dark side of Goya
Curatorial note
Francisco Goya, a Spanish painter born in 1746, lived through great political and personal upheaval. He served under various kings throughout his life. Goya was appointed by various kings, from Charles III to Charles IV to Ferdinand VII.
In 1792, Goya became permanently deaf due to an undiagnosed medical condition.
Goya purchased the Quinta del Sordo, his two-storey house, in 1819. There, on the walls of Quinta del Sordo, Goya painted 14 paintings from 1819 to 1823. These paintings were like nothing else he had painted before. They were darker in both color and theme compared to his other works. The paintings later came to be known as 'The Black Paintings.' Goya, however, never named any of the paintings.
In 1823, Goya imposed a voluntary exile upon himself and settled in Bordeaux, France. He passed Quinta del Sordo to his grandson, Mariano. Under the ownership of Émile d'Erlanger and the direction of Salador Martinez Cubells, the murals were transferred to canvas in 1874.
Today, the paintings are housed in Museo Nacional del Prado in central Madrid, Spain.
'The Dark Side of Goya' is a digital exhibit that explores the history behind Goya and his Black paintings. The exhibit features 3 Black paintings: 'The Witches' Sabbath,' 'Saturn Devouring His Son,' and 'Man Mocked by Two Women.' The works are a poignant reflection of the human mind's deterioration, both moral and mental. Each painting has multiple elements, symbols, and interpretations behind it. The digital exhibit aims to open the door to these elements in each frame.
Curated by Ashish Chatterjee and Tanishka Sharma, the exhibit offers an in-depth understanding of Goya's artworks, their historical context, and the artistic techniques behind them.
Our research draws from various sources, including research articles, YouTube videos, online articles, and our own interpretations. As you navigate through the exhibit, we encourage you to immerse yourself in Goya's world and reflect on its human depth.
Selected works
The black paintings