The Third of May, 1808: A Painting by Francisco Goya
The message of this disturbing work is valid for all time
Francisco de Goya (1746–1828) was undoubtedly the greatest painter of 18th century Spain. Born in a small village, he went to Madrid at the age of 18 where he worked in the studio of Francisco Bayeu. Goya was slow to make his name despite his obvious talent, only becoming a Royal painter at the age of 43.
Goya first earned his reputation by painting cartoons for tapestries, but further success came from his portraits. However, his best work came after he was struck deaf at the age of 47, as the result of suffering a serious illness.
The political stability of Spain, which had been in place during the first half of Goya’s life, came to an end when the weak rule of King Charles IV led to mass disturbances and the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte’s armies in 1807. It was the savage reprisals taken against an anti-French riot in Madrid the following year that inspired Goya’s later painting The Third of May, 1808 (painted in 1814).
The riot took place on 2nd May and was swiftly put down by Joachim Murat, a dashing cavalry commander and Napoleon’s brother-in-law. He was determined that no further challenges to French rule should be allowed. The following day, dozens of rioters were executed…
