Christ Crucified
1780 Museo del Prado
About this artwork
This oil on canvas depicts Christ on the cross, set against a stark, dark background that emphasizes his luminous, isolated figure. It was Goya's reception piece for admission into the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid.
Did you know?
When Francisco Goya submitted this painting to the Royal Academy in 1780, he was met with high acclaim for his masterful use of light and anatomy. Interestingly, the Academy members were so impressed by the work that they requested Goya to include a depiction of the Virgin Mary and St. John, but Goya famously refused to alter his composition, insisting that he had painted Christ as he felt he should be portrayed.
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Christ Crucified
Francisco Goya, 1780
