Francisco Goya – Saturn Devouring His Son

 

 

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.