“El 3 de
mayo
de 1808”
-AnAnalysisofFranciscodeGoya's
Masterpiece
By:
DELIA FLOREZ
PRIETO
•Title: El 3 de mayo de 1808 (The Third of
May 1808 ).
•Artist: Francisco de Goya.
•Date: 1814.
•Location: Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain.
•Art Style: Romanticism.
•Historical Context: Painted after the
Peninsular War, reflecting the atrocities
committed during Napoleon's invasion of
Spain.
2. Cataloging
•General Description:
This painting depicts the brutal execution of Spanish civilians
by French troops. It is a highly emotional and symbolic
representation of war's cruelty.
•Key Elements:
•The central figure, dressed in white, with arms raised in
surrender or defiance.
•The faceless French soldiers, representing inhumanity.
•The lantern as the source of light, symbolizing exposure and
vulnerability.
3. Description of the Work
•The central figure, dressed in
white, with arms raised in
surrender or defiance.
•The faceless French soldiers,
representing inhumanity.
•The lantern as the source of light,
symbolizing exposure and
vulnerability.
4. Type and Materials
•Type of Work:
•Large-scale oil painting on canvas.
•Dimensions: 266 cm × 345 cm.
•Materials:
•Medium: Oil on canvas.
•Technique: Expressive brushstrokes and
chiaroscuro to emphasize
emotion and depth.
5. Technical Features
•Technique:
•Loose and dynamic brushstrokes, typical of Romanticism, create movement and
emotion.
•Color Palette:
•Dark tones dominate, symbolizing death and despair.
•Bright whites and yellows draw attention to the central figure.
•Light:
•The artificial light of the lantern creates dramatic contrasts, illuminating the victims.
•Composition:
•Two contrasting groups: the anonymous firing squad on the right and the emotional
victims on the left.
•The central figure acts as a focal point, surrounded by chaos.
6. Context and Function
•Context:
•Goya painted this work to commemorate the Spanish
resistance during the French occupation.
•Inspired by real events that occurred on May 3, 1808,
when civilians were executed as punishment for their
rebellion.
•Function:
•A historical record of the brutality of war.
•A powerful anti-war statement emphasizing the
human cost of conflict.
7. Symbolism and Emotional
Impact
•Symbolism:
•The man in white: A Christ-like figure symbolizing sacrifice and innocence.
•The lantern: Illuminates the atrocities, as if shedding light on the truth.
•The faceless soldiers: Represent dehumanization and the mechanized nature
of war.
•Emotional Impact:
•Captures fear, desperation, and defiance.
•Forces the viewer to empathize with the victims.
8. Questions Answered
•What is it?
It is an oil painting depicting the execution of Spanish civilians by French
troops.
•How is it?
Dramatic, emotional, and full of contrasts in light, color, and composition.
•What was it used for?
To commemorate the war and as an anti-war message.
•What do you know about it?
A masterpiece of Romanticism and one of Goya's most iconic works.
•Who did it? When? In which period and art style?
Francisco de Goya, 1814, Romanticism.
•Title: Legacy of El 3 de mayo de 1808
•Key Points:
•A timeless anti-war statement.
•Highlights Goya's ability to combine
realism with emotional depth.
•A masterpiece that influenced future
generations of artists.
9. Conclusions
“It is an oil painting on canvas painted by Francisco de Goya
in the 19th century following the Romanticism style. It
represents the execution of Spanish civilians by French
soldiers during the Peninsular War. Its main features are
dramatic use of light and shadow, emotional intensity, and
dynamic composition. The main characteristics of this style
are an emphasis on emotion, individuality, and a focus on
historical or dramatic events.”