Artworks

This year is the bicentenary of the Spanish war of independence, against France and Napoleon Bonaparte. And admid the celebrations, Spanish cultural critics are re-examining the connection between Goya and the Spanish soul.

Goya painted two huge pictures that showed the start of this war: the uprising of the people of Madrid and the reprisals of the French army.

They were radical departures from the tradition of history painting in Europe at that time -- and they had an enormous influence on later artists and something about them touched the heart of Spanish culture. Jennifer Bowen is looking at the 1808 paintings of Goya and their commemoration this year in Spain.

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Further Information

Prado Museum in Madrid

Presenter

Jennifer Bowen

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