vince’s ear

“The Colossus” was thought to be one of a series of Franscisco Goya’s most powerful and famous works: the dark paintings.  It shows a massive flight of terrified people while a gargantuan giant walks, stomping on his prey. The painting shows the gore and dark subject matter characteristic of the Spanish artist’s latter years. The giant symbolizes Napoleon, a subject Goya frequently returned to as he witnessed the Peninsular Wars.

But unfortunately, the museum in which the canvas resides has declared that the artwork is indeed not by Goya at all, but rather completely painted by one of his assistants. Close inspections may have uncovered parts of the initials “AJ,” which would have stood for Asensio Julia, Goya’s main assistant. Further X-Rays have found minute differences from this and other authentic Goyas. The Prado museum in Madrid made the official removal of the artist’s name on Monday, at least until further notice.

Experts have found parts of many great artists such as Leonardo and Michelangelo were executed by apprentices and assistants, but it’s sad to find out when an entire painting, once thought to be an authentic work by a prominent artist is wholly the work of someone else. If what the museum has found is true, it is certainly the work of a skilled artist to match Goya’s hand and style so closely. Of course, it doesn’t make it so horribly less of a painting, but not on the level of Goya’s other masterpieces.

Priceless still, maybe, but not quite so priceless.