Goyas Black Painting - Saturn

Explain the historical and personal context of the painter Francisco Goya, Spain itself, and war themes

• Goya was nearly deaf due to illness in 1792 affecting his social life and mental state

• Spain was in turmoil after the Napoleonic wars in 1808 -1814 and political repression

• Experiences of war, violence, and personal suffering influenced his turn to darker themes 

When and where were the Black paintings painted

• Painted in 1819-1823, part of Goya's Black paintings which were originally on the walls of the Quinta Del Sordo (Deaf man's villa) 

Describe the mythological background of the painting (greek) and his interpretation

• Saturn Devouring his Son by Goya depicts Saturn (or Kronus) who ate his children to prevent a prophecy that they would overthrow him 

• Rhea saves one child, Zeus/Jupiter, who eventually overthrows Saturn

• Goya emphasizes grotesque violence rather than this idealized myth

Artistic style and technique of Saturn

• Oil on the walls of his home, but later transferred onto Canvas

• He utilizes a dark palette and rough brushstrokes, with distorted forms

• No natural light, like before during the enlightenment, but rather a focus on emotional intensity, horror, and immediacy

• Expressionistic rather than realistic or idealized

Theme and interpretation of the painting on humans, power, despair, and enlightenment

• Human cruelty and irrationality: reflects Goya's pessimism about humanity

• Critique of power and tyranny: Saturn as a metaphor for oppressive rulers destroying their own people

• Personal despair: mirrors Goya's fear of illness, isolation, and sense of morality 

• Contradiction of enlightenment ideals: Shows limits of reasons, progress and human control 

Early goya

 Enlightenment-inspired, optimistic, celebrates reason, society, and everyday life.

Turning point

Napoleonic invasion, war atrocities, and illness undermine optimism.

Late Goya

Romantic, dark, expressive, and introspective; the Black Paintings reflect this.

Saturn Devouring His Son is the pinnacle of his late, pessimistic, psychological exploration.

Leads to artists turning inward