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Charles III in a Hunting Dress

Francisco Goya • Painting, 1788, 207×126 cm
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About the artwork
Art form: Painting
Subject and objects: Portrait
Style of art: Romanticism
Technique: Oil
Materials: Canvas
Date of creation: 1788
Size: 207×126 cm
Artwork in collection: Top Irina Olikh
Artwork in selections: 14 selections
Exhibitions history
Goya
October 10, 2021 − January 23, 2022
The Museum Fondation Beyeler, Baselstrasse, 101

Description of the artwork «Charles III in a Hunting Dress»

The portrait of the Spanish monarch Charles III in a Hunting Dress Francisco Goya wrote, not being a court artist, but eager to become one. In the 80-ies of the XVIII century Goya, who made his name at court thanks to the sketches for tapestries for the Royal tapestry manufactory, finds friends and patrons among high-ranking nobles. The big names were the count of Floridablanca the Duke of Osuna (1, 2) and younger brother of king Charles III, the disgraced Infante don Luis. Goya performed their ceremonial and family portraits, and end up in court talk and table talk the name Goya was heard so often that they are interested in and the king himself.

What is known about king Charles III from history?


King Charles III (1716-1788) of the Bourbon dynasty, during the reign of which is the beginning and the middle of the creative life, Goya was Spain not the worst monarch. He carried out many significant reforms in the spirit of enlightened absolutism. Reforms related to the economy, education, public administration, and was so successful that allowed Karl III pulled Spain out of crisis and moral decline, in which she lived in the XVII century. Charles III balanced taxes, restricted the privileges of the grandees and increased the revenue of the Spanish Treasury 4 times. When it began rapidly to build new roads and warships. Of course, no reform without resistance, and under Charles III, too, has repeatedly sparked popular revolts, incited by the Jesuits. For example, when it was introduced, freedom of grain trade, rebelled Barcelona, Andalusia and home of Goya Zaragoza. Charles III responded to the uprising of the immortal aphorism: "My people like a child he cries, when it wash".

In the life of Charles III differed cheerful character, was famous for his politeness and courtesy, being honest and fair. Some historians claim that Charles III was the best of the Spanish monarch since the time of Ferdinand and Isabella (the 2nd half. XV – beginning of XVI centuries). And if Ferdinand the Catholic and Isabella of Castile fostered in Spain, the institution of the Inquisition, Charles III the Inquisition, on the contrary, should lean not to atrocities. And during the reign of Charles III the Inquisition executed only four.

Goya is court painter to the Spanish kings


Court painter, Goya was interested in being with all the passion available to its choleric temperament. In 1785 or 1786, when Goya was already forty, he finally received an honorary Commission to paint a portrait of Charles III in the costume of a hunter, when the king went to shoot wild game in the mountains outside of Madrid. From the letters of Goya's known how rapidly the artist rejoiced in the order that did not prevent him portray the king without any idealization. "He represented Charles III, – written by Anton Neumayr, – tthe mayor, how he saw it in reality: tired, prematurely aged, with hunched shoulders, thin face, no teeth and bowlegged, and with a "neck plucked bird." Still, the talent of the artist turned model depicted in the masterpiece of art and was awarded an omnipotent monarch, a peace-loving traits of human nature".

In July 1786, Goya writes a joyful letter to his closest friend, Martin Zapater that upon the resumption of the Royal Gobelins manufactory king was presented several candidates those who could lead her work, and the king of all chose the Goya. "It so happened that henceforth I – court painter, – rejoices in a letter to Goya, – Hard to get used to the idea that my income will now amount to 15 thousand reais!"

Also known another more solemn, portrait of Charles III the work of Goya, written approximately in the years 1886-1887.

The official artist of Charles III, Goya was only two years: 1788-m monarch did not. However, his successor Charles IV (no, unfortunately, and the tenth share of public talents of Charles III), will not only leave Goya on the post of court painter, but will make it almost my confidant and will significantly increase the master's salary.

Author: Anna Yesterday
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