The Story Behind Goya's Black Paintings
In 1819, aged 72, Francisco Goya moved into the Quinta del Sordo, a country house on the outskirts of Madrid.
The artist had lost his hearing when he was in his mid-40s, following an illness that also left him in permanent physical discomfort, and which may have triggered the onset of persistent mental health problems.
On top of this, Goya was also deeply disillusioned with the state of Spanish politics, and (so the story goes) gripped by fears of insanity and death.
It was against this cheery backdrop that Goya produced his ‘Black Paintings’: 14 dark and disturbing works that the artist painted directly onto the walls of his home.
Goya likely never thought that these intense scenes would ever be shown in public; but following the artist’s death, the murals were painstakingly transferred onto canvas, before being donated to the Spanish state. Today, you can find all fourteen on display in Madrid’s Museo del Prado– if you’re feeling brave enough!
The Story Behind Goya's Black Paintings
In 1819, aged 72, Francisco Goya moved into the Quinta del Sordo, a country house on the outskirts of Madrid.
The artist had lost his hearing when he was in his mid-40s, following an illness that also left him in permanent physical discomfort, and which may have triggered the onset of persistent mental health problems.
On top of this, Goya was also deeply disillusioned with the state of Spanish politics, and (so the story goes) gripped by fears of insanity and death.
It was against this cheery backdrop that Goya produced his ‘Black Paintings’: 14 dark and disturbing works that the artist painted directly onto the walls of his home.
Goya likely never thought that these intense scenes would ever be shown in public; but following the artist’s death, the murals were painstakingly transferred onto canvas, before being donated to the Spanish state. Today, you can find all fourteen on display in Madrid’s Museo del Prado– if you’re feeling brave enough!
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4 Hacks to Improve Your Visit at The British Museum
Situated in the heart of London, the British Museum boasts the largest permanent collection in the world. Understandably, then, it’s also an incredibly popular tourist attraction. But don’t be like all the other suckers: in this guide, we’ll take you through four handy hacks to make your visit as easy (and engaging) as possible!
Try the back door
While the museum’s main entrance on Great Russell Street is pretty impressive to look at, it can also attract some equally impressive queues. To cut down the wait time, try the rear entrance on Montague Place. Thankfully, most visitors seem to have no idea that it exists (or perhaps they just really love queuing).
Either way, this ‘back door’ is usually a safe bet for a much smoother entry – giving you more time to peruse the museum’s incredible collection!
Wait for a sunny day
While it might be a bit of a cliché, it’s also an inescapable fact: London has some pretty terrible weather. So, on those rare days that the sun decides to make an appearance, most normal people want to make the most of it, not spend the day indoors.
Which is great for us. While everyone else is outside getting some vitamin D, we can enjoy a less crowded, less hectic British Museum. Sure, this might seem just a little bit wrong – but to get a better look at the likes of the Rosetta Stone and the Sutton Hoo Helmet, it’s more than worth it!
(And whatever you do, just try not to go on a rainy day – because then things really can get messy).
Spread out!
The British Museum is a vast site – but few visitors venture beyond a few core exhibits. Their loss is our gain: from the Holy Thorn Reliquary to the Mold Gold Cape, the museum’s less popular galleries are still packed full of priceless historical treasures – and you won’t have to elbow anyone out of the way to see them!
Download MuseMuse
In a collection as big as the British Museum, you’re never going to be able to see everything – but MuseMuse can help you make the absolute best of your visit. With our custom itineraries and bite-sized guides to the essential exhibits, you can cut out the aimless wandering and glide through the place like a pro.
Right then, you’re all set for a spiffing day out at the British Museum – we hope that our top tips will add that extra bit of sparkle to your visit! Just don’t telltoomany people about that back entrance, eh?
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