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Truth, Time and History

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Truth, Time and History
ArtistFrancisco de Goya
Year1812–1814[need quotation to verify]
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions294 cm × 244 cm (116 in × 96 in)
LocationNationalmuseum, Stockholm

Truth, Time and History (Spanish: La Verdad, el Tiempo y la Historia) is an oil on canvas painting by the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya from 1812–1814.[need quotation to verify] It is exhibited at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm.[1]

It is an allegory based on Cesare Ripas Iconologia from 1593. It depicts History witness when Time reveals the Truth. History is symbolised by a woman and Time by an elderly winged man that is holding an hourglass. History records the event in her book, while looking over her shoulder in order to acknowledge the past. The standing woman, that holds a book, represents Spain as well as Truth. It could be an allegory of the Spanish Constitution, adopted in 1812 during Spain's liberation from Napoleonic rule, and the twofold symbolism is designed to underscore the legitimacy of the new constitution.[2]

Sketch from 1797–1799, Museum of Fine Arts

Goya made a rough sketch already in 1797–1799. In this version the winged Times reveals a naked Truth while threatening bats and owls lurk above them. The sketch is in the collection of Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Nationalmuseum: Francisco de Goya Truth, Time and History". www.nationalmuseum.se. Retrieved 2019-11-21.
  2. ^ Luna, Juan (1994). Goya. Nationalmuseum och Bra Böcker. ISBN 91-7100-495-5.
  3. ^ "Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Francisco Goya y Lucientes Time, Truth and History". www.mfa.org/. Retrieved 2019-11-21.