Goya's Majas at The National Gallery

by Enriqueta Harris, Duncan Bull

Goya's Majas are among the most potent images of women in European painting. Their arrival in London, in return for the Rokeby Venus's visit to the recent Velazquea exhibition at the Prado, not only give the British public a chance to get to know two remarkable paintings; it also allows us to celebrate the power of great artists to speak to each other across time.The three paintings exhibited here last hung in the same room in Madrid in 1813. Now, thanks to the generosity of the Prado, the British public can see what has not been seen since then.NB The book was produced to coincide with the exhibition held at The National Gallery from 2 May to 1 July 1990.

20 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the first time in 177 years some Goya paintings hung in the same room, especially got together for the exhibition that this book celebrates.

Were the Majas true depictions of the Duchess of Alba? Or were they just figments of Goya's wishful imagination? We will never know.

Was Goya influenced by earlier works by Titian and Velazquez? The authors discuss the possibilities with a suitable selection of illustrations and a postscript about the later escapades of the personalities and the paintings.