Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (1746 – 1828)

The renowned Spanish painter is considered one of the great masters in the history of art. His style evolved as the years went by, from the beginning Rococo, Neoclassicism, and lastly Romanticism.

His life was turbulent, going through exile in Bordeaux due to the Spanish Independence War, initial rejection at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and deafness that marked the end of his days.

Goya painted over 500 oil paintings and mural arts, 300 lithographs, and innumerable drawings. He studied in Italy, returning to Madrid and working for the Court, he was influenced by the work of Diego Velázquez. In his works, Goya applied the ingenious handling of light that Velázquez gave. In the 1780s, he became the portraitist of Madrid’s high society. We will focus on this text on two of his most famous works.

La Maja Desnuda

When we talk about Goya, we immediately think of his famous work ¨ La Maja Desnuda¨. This famous painting in the Romantic style is an oil on canvas. This work was controversial in its time. Other artists also painted nudes, but in a historical or mythological context, in this case, the lady is lying on a couch naked, without any other pretense. For sure it is not known who is the model who poses, there are several speculations, among them that she was the lover of Manuel Godoy. Godoy was the one who ordered to paint this work.

A real naked woman poses on a couch, looks carefree, and serene. Her arms at her head, like someone who wants to show herself well, proud. It is the first work of art (public and known), where the pubic hair is portrayed, which makes it the work full of eroticism.

La Maja Vestida

Years later, Goya made La Maja Vestida. Oil on canvas, another of his most recognized works. Initially, according to the records of Manuel Godoy, who commissioned the work, she was gypsy and not Maja. Later on, it was given the name of ¨Maja¨ .La Maja Vestida lies on the same green couch, and in the same pose as her nude counterpart. The same unknown model poses casually, smiling.

Her beautiful white dress reveals her sensual figure. The pink belt and the yellow and black jacket add more color to this work. The light remains on her, naturally and vibrantly. La Maja stares at her viewer, her face full of life smiling. This work can also be enjoyed in the Prado Museum.

Sources:

Francisco de Goya. https://es.wikipedia.org/

Francisco de Goya. https://www.todocuadros.com.ar/

Francisco de Goya. https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/

Goya y Lucientes. https://www.museodelprado.es/