El Jardin de las Delicias
A report of a splendid morning in Madrid:
My second attempt to visit *Museo de la Real Academia de Bella Artes, the art school that Goya once directed was fruitful. It's not far from the Prado but its hours are different than most Madrid museums due to its educational mission. It's open on Mondays, which is a plus. I visited on a Tuesday morning before heading over to a luncheon at the Reina Sofia. Madrid is full of undulating hills... just enough to push my athletic parameters without strain so it was a satisfying stroll up the hill and then up the stairs to their permanent collection.
I walked into the Goya room first, by accident and the attendant quickly made me turn around! She wasnted to be sure that I didn't miss their expansive collection of Spanish painting. The Goya's were the highlights for me... small and powerful. The curator thoughfully provided English translations for each paintings' panel which always makes a difference. I did not know or remember that Goya lost six children in infancy, became deaf from illness as an adult and eventually lost his wife. Only his seventh son survived.
It was a dark period in Spain's history and from what I've read Goya's path was paved to be the messenger. One of his homes was nicknamed "House of the Deaf". How could I not know this? If anyone can recommend a good Goya biography I am long overdue a study of his life. I've loved his paintings since the first slide hit the screen in Paul Grootkerk's class.
The painting above depicts an asylum of the late 18th C but if it weren't named as such it could just as well be the Garden of Earthly Delights of Goya's world... of perhaps a long night at the White House. What can I say? To quote my Harryman: "Art is a beast that eats his own head" so Goya, once again, is the messenger for our times. (after seeing my artwork one time a French workman pointed to me and said in broken English "You are not an optimist.")
So, in reading this post, I guess one must consider the source.
Bosch's El Jardin de las Delicias
*I apologize in advance for this less than satisfying link but it will give you specific info about the art school if you're interested
My second attempt to visit *Museo de la Real Academia de Bella Artes, the art school that Goya once directed was fruitful. It's not far from the Prado but its hours are different than most Madrid museums due to its educational mission. It's open on Mondays, which is a plus. I visited on a Tuesday morning before heading over to a luncheon at the Reina Sofia. Madrid is full of undulating hills... just enough to push my athletic parameters without strain so it was a satisfying stroll up the hill and then up the stairs to their permanent collection.I walked into the Goya room first, by accident and the attendant quickly made me turn around! She wasnted to be sure that I didn't miss their expansive collection of Spanish painting. The Goya's were the highlights for me... small and powerful. The curator thoughfully provided English translations for each paintings' panel which always makes a difference. I did not know or remember that Goya lost six children in infancy, became deaf from illness as an adult and eventually lost his wife. Only his seventh son survived.
It was a dark period in Spain's history and from what I've read Goya's path was paved to be the messenger. One of his homes was nicknamed "House of the Deaf". How could I not know this? If anyone can recommend a good Goya biography I am long overdue a study of his life. I've loved his paintings since the first slide hit the screen in Paul Grootkerk's class.
The painting above depicts an asylum of the late 18th C but if it weren't named as such it could just as well be the Garden of Earthly Delights of Goya's world... of perhaps a long night at the White House. What can I say? To quote my Harryman: "Art is a beast that eats his own head" so Goya, once again, is the messenger for our times. (after seeing my artwork one time a French workman pointed to me and said in broken English "You are not an optimist.")
So, in reading this post, I guess one must consider the source.
Bosch's El Jardin de las Delicias
*I apologize in advance for this less than satisfying link but it will give you specific info about the art school if you're interested
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