The Second of May 1808
1814 Museo del Prado
About this artwork
This large-scale oil painting depicts the popular uprising of the people of Madrid against the Mameluke soldiers of the French Imperial Guard. It is a companion piece to 'The Third of May 1808' and is currently housed in the Museo del Prado.
Did you know?
Goya painted this piece to commemorate the spontaneous uprising against Napoleon's forces in Madrid. Notably, Goya was a witness to the French occupation, and he chose to depict the brutal, unorganized nature of the street fighting rather than a glorified heroic victory. This work is considered one of the earliest examples of modern war painting for its raw, unflinching portrayal of human conflict.
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The Second of May 1808
Francisco Goya, 1814
