Product Description

The Spanish master-painter Francisco de Goya (1746-1828) is revered not only for the delicate and sensitive treatment of his subjects but also for his radical political stance and modern sensibility. Towards the end of his life, embittered by the appalling cruelty of the Napoleonic Wars in Spain, Goya decorated the walls of his house outside Madrid with a series of 14 terrifying murals that depicted the underbelly of life and the remorselessness of human existence. Known as the "Black Paintings", this series of murals is recognized as one of Goya's greatest masterpieces and now hangs in the Prado. Fully illustrated, this is the only book on the "Black Paintings" currently in print in English. A controversial narrative gives new interpretations of the artist's intention behind these grotesque works and shows how this period of Goya's work anticipated Surrealism and other aspects of 20th century artistic vision.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #65165 in Books
• Published on: 1999-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

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Customer Reviews

Throughout, an interesting book for Goya lovers
So it may not be the most alternative book of the great Spanish artist Francisco Goya (1746-1828), but stile, for now a very important one. This because he is the only book in the catalogue dedicated too the Black Paintings. Written by Spanish art historian Juan Jose Junquera, who recently claim that actually Goya did not paint the black paintings, but his own son. So it is an interesting saying, and also a refresh one. Still I believe that Goya and not any one else paint that madness exhibition.

In any way the present book by Jose Junquera is a fascinating one, and any one finding Goya late works interesting will be reworded to read at him. The book publisher, Scala made an excellent production. The front cover has I received (and not how it show in Amazon.Com) present the painting of Saturn, eating his child. An impressive way to start a journey into Goya mind. Eight chapters filled the book and through out the book there are many close up to the paintings. The book runs out at about 96 pages, not like Robert Houges well filled edition, for many the best certainly available on Goya. Still the book contains many details on Goya life and the paintings themselves so you will probably wouldn't fill there is something missing. Although the close details are very well presented there are still points I fill to disagree with them. Like the way Jose Junquera say to give meanings to couple of the paintings. To much pretentious for me but sourly not for all. Another important mention is the book size, and I would really wish the plates of every complete painting could be larger, maybe like the big close ups.

Still, an interesting study on Goya masterpiece exhibition, and at his low cost I believe you will be more then satisfied to having him.