Truth, Time and History
Truth, Time and History (Spanish: La Verdad, el Tiempo y la Historia) is an oil on canvas painting by the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya from 1812–1814. It is exhibited at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.[1]
| Truth, Time and History | |
|---|---|
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| Artist | Francisco de Goya |
| Year | 1812–1814 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 294 cm × 244 cm (116 in × 96 in) |
| Location | Nationalmuseum, Stockholm |
It is an allegory based on Cesare Ripas Iconologia from 1593. It depicts History witness when Time reveals the Truth. History is symbolised by a woman and Time by an elderly winged man that is holding an hourglass. History records the event in her book, while looking over her shoulder in order to acknowledge the past. The standing woman, that holds a book, represents Spain as well as Truth. It could be an allegory of the Spanish Constitution, adopted in 1812 during Spain's liberation from Napoleonic rule, and the twofold symbolism is designed to underscore the legitimacy of the new constitution.[2]
Goya made a rough sketch already in 1797–1799. In this version the winged Times reveals a naked Truth while threatening bats and owls lurk above them. The sketch is in the collection of Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.[3]
References
- "Nationalmuseum: Francisco de Goya Truth, Time and History". www.nationalmuseum.se. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
- Luna, Juan (1994). Goya. Nationalmuseum och Bra Böcker. ISBN 91-7100-495-5.
- "Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Francisco Goya y Lucientes Time, Truth and History". www.mfa.org/. Retrieved 2019-11-21.