Francisco Goya was one of the most important Spanish artist in the late eighteenth century. He was promoted as a court painter and made Portrait of "The family of Charles IV". He painted the family in the foreground while placing himself in the left background. The family is being portrayed as strong and united.
Francisco had inspiration from Diego Velasquez, who painted "Las Meninas". Family of Charles IV was a painting that Francisco remodeled after "Las Meninas". He painted his face almost in the same angle that Velasquez painted himself in "Las Meninas". But in Francisco's painting the king and Queen are actually there, they are not shown as a reflection in the mirror as Velasquez did in "Las Meninas". In the Family of Charles IV's painting some of the characters looks a little more ideal than others. Also their postures. If you compare the king posture to the other men on the left, the king has a more ideal posture. The man in the left, his head doesn't match the angle that he poses himself. The king and his fellow wear gold and silver military medals. The light makes these medals looks shiny. The women's dresses look very much similar. The Queen is in the center next to the king, she looks very tall. The kids appear to be attached to her. She wears big neckalace and earings. Some people are looking at the viewer while others are looking away. Almost the hole family looks very serious.
By Patrick Severin
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