[Photo credit: Norton Simon Art Foundation]
The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena will present “I Saw It: Francisco de Goya, Printmaker,” an exhibition dedicated to the influential print series of the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya (1746–1828) from April 19 to August 5. Known for his critical eye on societal issues, Goya’s prints serve as a historical commentary on the Spain of his time.
Goya, known for his critique of Spain’s religious and political institutions, its ruling classes, and the brutality of war, used printmaking as a medium for his commentary.
The exhibit will feature “Los Caprichos” (1799), “Los Desastres de la Guerra” (c. 1815-16), “La Tauromaquia” (1815-16) and “Los Disparates” (c. 1815-23), four of Goya’s significant print series that reflect his perspectives on human nature.
Additionally, the exhibition will include works by artists who have drawn inspiration from Goya, offering a dialogue between past and present artistic expressions. The museum will also organize educational lectures, performances, and guided tours to complement the exhibition, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of Goya’s work and its relevance today.
“I Saw It” provides a comprehensive view of Goya’s graphic work, showcasing his artistry and profound humanity. The exhibition includes related programs such as scholarly lectures, performances, guided tours, and an opening weekend event titled “An Evening in Focus: Francisco de Goya, Printmaker” on April 20.
Goya’s Major Print Series
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Los Caprichos: This series of 80 prints satirizes societal evils through darkly humorous and often baffling imagery. One notable print is “The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters,” symbolizing Goya’s embrace of Enlightenment ideals.
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Los Desastres de la Guerra: Comprising 82 prints, this series depicts the consequences of the Napoleonic occupation of Spain with sharp depictions of conflict and suffering. Goya focused on ordinary individuals’ bravery rather than military heroes.
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La Tauromaquia: In this series of 33 prints, Goya explores bullfighting as a respite from war, capturing the grace, ferocity, and death inherent in this spectacle.
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Los Disparates: Goya’s final series includes 22 puzzling scenes that may relate to Spanish proverbs or carnival games. The imagery is complex and intriguing, reflecting Goya’s unique style.
The Norton Simon Museum is located at 411 W. Colorado Blvd. at Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena at the intersection of the Foothill (210) and Ventura (134) freeways. Please call (626) 449-6840 for general Museum information or visit nortonsimon.org.
