Collection Spotlight | Goya’s Truth: Spectacle, Satire, and Survival
Collection Spotlight:
Goya’s Truth: Spectacle, Satire, and Survival
Featured Artist:
Francisco de Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828)
Time Period: Early 19th Century
Medium: Aquatint Etching
Overview
Goya’s La Tauromaquia presents a dramatic and nuanced portrayal of the evolution of bullfighting and its cultural symbolism in Spain. Blending painterly visuals through etching and aquatint technique along with biting commentary, the series reveals themes of survival, spectacle, and vulnerability in the Spanish community. Compared to works from his other print series, like Los Caprichos, and the Disasters of War, Goya’s artistic influence was widespread throughout Spain, during his lifetime and in contemporary life.
Featured Works from the Martin Museum’s Collection
- Selections from La Tauromaquia (1815)
- Selections from Los Caprichos
- Selections from The Disasters of War
Target Audiences
- Spanish and European History classes
- Art, printmaking, or cultural studies groups
Key Themes
- Art and cultural identity
- Spectacle, survival, risk and vulnerability
- Innovation in printmaking
- Critique of power and institutions
- Historical reflection through visual media
Booking Details
- Duration: 45–60 minutes
- Audience: Available for middle and high school, university-level, and special interest groups
- Includes: Guided discussion and close viewing of selected works
- How to Book: Select this Collection Spotlight when submitting your group tour request
Spotlight Brief Educator Packet: Pre-Visit Materials Educator Packet: Pre-Visit Background Reading Educator Packet: Post-Visit Materials Student Quiz Collection Images