Goya Order and Disorder at MFA Boston

Goya Portrait: Antonia Zarate y Aguirre

Goya Order and Disorder

on view through January 19, 2015

The Goya exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston is a large and impressive collection that includes: portraiture, sport and allegory themed paintings, sketchings, print and tapestries.  The exhibit starts very light and almost joyful showcasing some of Goya’s most prominent portraits of Spanish nobility. The portrait above of Antonia Zarate y Aguirre dates back to approximately 1805 and was one of my favorites in the exhibit.

However, as  you walk through the eight room exhibit the family portraits give way to some darker subject matter. I’ve highlighted some of my favorites; the violence of sport (Bulls of Bordeaux), madness (Yard with Madmen), war (Attack on a Military Camp) and finally death (Garroted Man).  The exhibit officially concludes with  The Giant (also known as The Colossus) a smaller piece depicting a pensive giant looking over his shoulder.

Never too heavy handed, the exhibit really drew me in and gave me a greater
appreciation for Goya’s talent, the mediums he used and the external
influences that inevitably shaped his subject matter.

With colder weather on its way, this exhibit provides you with the perfect excuse to head to the MFA and check out this 170 piece collection.