Francisco de Goya's Portrait of Don Ramon Satue (left) and the painting discovered underneath it
Posted on 09/23/2011 8:54:55 PM PDT by decimon
A previously unknown painting by Francisco de Goya has been found hidden underneath one of his masterpieces, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has announced.
The unfinished work was discovered underneath Goya's Portrait Of Don Ramon Satue, using a new X-ray technique.
It is thought to depict a French general, and may even portray Napoleon Bonaparte's brother, Joseph.
The Rijksmuseum says the Spanish master may have covered up the portrait for political reasons.
Joseph Bonaparte was briefly King Of Spain, from 1808-1813.
When the Napoleonic army was driven out and Ferdinand VII restored to the throne, Goya, who retained the painting, would have wanted to distance himself from the French regime.
The artist had served the French king and feared reprisals, despite receiving an official pardon and being reinstated as first court painter.
Eventually, unhappy with Ferdinand VII's autocratic regime, he applied for permission to settle in France, where he lived until his death in 1828.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Stroke of fate ping.
Pepe la botella!
Revolution is like Saturn, it devours its own children.
Goya had some pretty radical cartoon type paintings of war.
Thanks for posting. I learned something.
Goya is usually portrayed as some great opponent of the French invaders and propagandist for Spanish freedom.
Turns out his anti-war works were conveniently created after the war. During the war he was what in WWII would have been called a collaborator.
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And if they turn out to be some French general?
Different paintings. :’)
Actually, there is a third version which does include a French general...
I read many artists would do this to save money rather than using a new canvas. It makes you wonder how many hidden masterpieces there might be out there, hidden by the masterpiece shown?
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