Madre infeliz! — History & Facts
In Madre infeliz!, Francisco de Goya presents a striking scene filled with emotional intensity. The painting showcases a mother in despair, surrounded by dark, muted colors that enhance her sorrow. The figures are rendered with a sense of realism, capturing the raw emotion of the moment.
The setting is sparse, focusing the viewer's attention on the mother's anguish. This artwork is executed in oil on canvas, a medium that allows for rich textures and deep colors. Goya's brushwork is expressive, contributing to the overall emotional impact of the piece. The dimensions are approximately 100 x 130 cm, making it a substantial work that commands attention.
The use of light and shadow further emphasizes the mother's distress. Francisco de Goya was a prominent Spanish painter known for his critical portrayal of society and human emotion. Madre infeliz! reflects Goya's interest in the darker aspects of human experience, particularly maternal suffering. An interesting fact about this work is that it was created during a time when Goya was increasingly disillusioned with the Spanish court and the societal norms of his time.
This painting serves as a powerful commentary on the struggles faced by women in a patriarchal society.
More Artworks by Francisco de Goya

El sueño de la razon produce moustruos (Serie Caprichos)
Francisco de Goya

Portrait of Doña María Teresa de Vallabriga y Rozas (1759-1820)
Francisco de Goya

Portrait of the Duchess of Osuna
Francisco de Goya

Queen of Spain Maria Louisa, née Bourbon-Parma
Francisco de Goya

Queen María Luisa on horseback
Francisco de Goya

Y no hai remedio
Francisco de Goya

The Immaculate Conception
Francisco de Goya

Portrait of Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos
Francisco de Goya

Portrait of Maria Josefa of Spain
Francisco de Goya

Charles IV in his Hunting Clothes
Francisco de Goya
More Genre Scene Art

Banquet of the Officers of the St George Civic Guard
Frans Hals

Rembrandt and Saskia in the Scene of the Prodigal Son
Rembrandt van Rijn

Bal du moulin de la Galette
Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Quadrille at the Moulin Rouge
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

A Burial at Ornans
Gustave Courbet

When Will You Marry?
Paul Gauguin
