Francisco Goya born 1746, died 1828 {aged 82 years} was a Spanish painter.
Out of his 14 Black Paintings, Saturn devouring his son stands out.
The painting illustrates Saturn eating his sons one by one upon their
birth after a prophecy that one of his sons will overthrow him, just as he had
overthrown his father. To prevent this
prophecy from coming true, Saturn commences to eat his children moments after
each one was born. His third son Jupiter was hidden by his wife on the Greek
island of Crete. She misleads Saturn by offering a stone wrapped in a blanket
instead of Jupiter. Just as the prophecy had predicted - Saturn was eventually
displaced by Jupiter.
Goya never took the pain in explaining the meaning of the painting.
Experts have interpreted the meaning of the painting as follows:
1.Time consumes
everything.
2.The anger of
God.
3.The clash
between old age and youth.
4.The strife
leading to political and social issues in Spain during that time when the
country obliterates it own citizens during war and revolution.
Goya could have been motivated by Peter Paul Rubens {1577-1640} a Flemish
Painter.
Rubens’ painting Saturn or Saturn Devouring His Son was painted in 1636.
The Painting is seen as less cannibalistic when compared to Goya’s Painting.
