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The Silent Scream of Goya's Tres de Mayo

Francisco Goya's Tres de Mayo, or The Third of May 1808 in Madrid, is a poignant work that immortalizes a tragic event in Spanish history. This monumental canvas, painted in 1814, is kept at the Musée du Prado in Madrid and measures 268 cm high by 347 cm wide. It plunges us into the heart of a summary execution, bearing witness to the brutality of war and the resistance of the Spanish people in the face of oppression.

Genesis of a masterpiece: historical context and origins of Goya's Tres de Mayo

To understand the power of Tres de Mayo, we need to look back at the historical context of its creation. Spain in the early 19th century was in the grip of Napoleonic invasion. The popular uprising in Madrid against French troops on May 2, 1808 was violently repressed. The following day, May 3, hundreds of Spaniards were arrested and executed without trial. Francisco de Goya, witness to these atrocities, decides to immortalize them on canvas with a diptych composed of Dos de Mayo and Tres de Mayo. Commissioned by the Spanish provisional government six years after the events, the works are set against a backdrop of national reconquest and denunciation of the exactions committed by the French army. Goya, deeply marked by the violence of the war, transcends mere historical fact to turn it into a universal work about suffering and injustice.

One painting, two worlds: overall visual description of the Tres de Mayo

The Tres de Mayo is structured in two distinct parts. On the right, a group of anonymous, ruthless French soldiers form a compact block. Their dark uniforms and rifles pointing to the left create an impression of brutal, indiscriminate force. To the left, the victims, terrified Spanish civilians, are bathed in a harsh light that accentuates their vulnerability. Their faces express the full range of emotions in the face of imminent death: fear, anger, resignation. Goya uses a striking play of chiaroscuro to accentuate the contrast between the executioners and their victims, plunging the soldiers into shadow while he illuminates the condemned with dramatic light. The dark, minimalist background reinforces the intensity of the scene and focuses attention on the drama at play.

The martyrdom of freedom: description of the central subject of the Tres de Mayo

At the center of the painting, a man with raised arms, dressed in a bright white shirt, stands out from the group of condemned men. He faces the firing squad with a courage and dignity that transcends fear. His posture, reminiscent of Christ's crucifixion, makes him a martyr for freedom. Around him, the other victims embody the diversity of the Spanish people in the face of oppression. We see men of all ages and conditions, united in the same tragic destiny. Goya humanizes these anonymous victims, giving them an individuality and expressiveness that reinforce the emotional impact of the scene.

Light, color and composition: the symbolism of the Tres de Mayo

Each element of the Tres de Mayo is loaded with symbolism. The light, which violently illuminates the condemned, represents truth and innocence in the face of barbarism. The white shirt of the man in the center symbolizes purity and sacrifice. The lantern on the ground between the soldiers and the victims creates a symbolic boundary between life and death. The composition of the painting, with its opposition between the dark masses of soldiers and the light that illuminates the victims, reinforces the message of denouncing violence and oppression. Goya also uses color to accentuate the drama of the scene, with touches of bright red symbolizing the blood spilled.

The legacy of the Tres de Mayo: impact and influence

The Tres de Mayo had a considerable impact on Goya's life. Painting this work was a traumatic experience for the artist, who was deeply marked by the violence of the events he depicted. The painting marks a turning point in his career, leading him to explore darker, more personal themes. The Tres de Mayo is considered one of the most important works in art history, often being regarded as one of the first works of the modern era, and having influenced the development of engaged painting and inspired many artists such as Manet and Picasso. Today, this masterpiece remains a poignant testimony to human barbarity and a call for peace and tolerance.

This artwork is a painting from the classical period. It belongs to the romanticism style.

« Tres de mayo » is kept at Prado, Madrid, Spain.

Find the full description of Tres de mayo by Francisco de Goya on Wikipedia.