Apr 6
Truth, Time and History
Artist: Francisco Goya y Lucientes (Spanish, 1746-1828) Date: ca. 1804-1808 Medium: Oil on canvas Collection: National Museum, Stockholm, Sweden
Description
History is a witness when Time reveals the Truth. These concepts are symbolized by a woman writing, an elderly man with an hourglass, and a woman, who is usually naked. In Goya’s painting, the standing woman represents Spain as well as Truth. She holds a sceptre, and a book, the constitution Spain adopted in 1812 during its war against Napoleon. The twofold symbolism is designed to underscore the legitimacy of the new constitution.
#allegorical art#allegorical scene#truth#time#history#representation of truth#representation of time#female figure#sceptre#book#landscape#elderly male figure#female figures#winged figure#hourglass#tablet#open book#writing#drapery#white gown#painting#oil on canvas#fine art#oil painting#artwork#spanish art#spanish culture#francisco goya y lucientes#european art#19th century painting