Two Old Men
Encyclopedia
Two Old Men, also known as Two Monks or An Old Man and a Monk (Spanish: Dos viejos, Dos frailes, or Un viejo y un fraile) are names given to one of the 14 "black paintings
" painted by Francisco de Goya between 1819-23. Goya was then in his mid 70s and in mental and physical distress. He painted the works on the interior walls of the house known as "The House of the Deaf Man" (Quinta del Sordo) that he purchased in 1819.
In the picture two elderly figures dressed in friar's habits stand before a black background. The man in front has a long grey beard, is tall and rests on a cane. He may represent Saturn
, the god of time. Beside him is a highly caricatured figure, whose face is animal-like. This figure seems to be shouting into the ear of his companion, which might be an allusion to Goya's deafness.
There is a noticeable difference between the treatment of the two figures. Calmly resting on his walking stick with a sad but serene expression, the bearded man recalls the philosophers depicted by Velázquez
, which had been copied by Goya. In vivid contrast, the features of his monstrous companion recall the friars depicted by Goya his Caprichos and Disparates.
The black paintings were not intended to be seen by anyone but the artist. Two Old Men likely occupied a position on the first floor, opposite Judith and Holofernes
. Like other paintings in the series, it was transferred to canvas between 1873-74 under the supervision of Salvador Martínez Cubells, a curator at the Museo del Prado
. The owner, Baron Emile d'Erlanger, donated the canvases to the Spanish state in 1881, and they are now on display at the Museo del Prado.
Black Paintings
The Black Paintings is the name given to a group of paintings by Francisco Goya from the later years of his life, likely between 1819–1823. They portray intense, haunting themes, reflective of both his fear of insanity and by then, his bleak outlook on humanity...
" painted by Francisco de Goya between 1819-23. Goya was then in his mid 70s and in mental and physical distress. He painted the works on the interior walls of the house known as "The House of the Deaf Man" (Quinta del Sordo) that he purchased in 1819.
In the picture two elderly figures dressed in friar's habits stand before a black background. The man in front has a long grey beard, is tall and rests on a cane. He may represent Saturn
Saturn (mythology)
In ancient Roman religion and myth, Saturn was a major god presiding over agriculture and the harvest time. His reign was depicted as a Golden Age of abundance and peace by many Roman authors. In medieval times he was known as the Roman god of agriculture, justice and strength. He held a sickle in...
, the god of time. Beside him is a highly caricatured figure, whose face is animal-like. This figure seems to be shouting into the ear of his companion, which might be an allusion to Goya's deafness.
There is a noticeable difference between the treatment of the two figures. Calmly resting on his walking stick with a sad but serene expression, the bearded man recalls the philosophers depicted by Velázquez
Diego Velázquez
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez was a Spanish painter who was the leading artist in the court of King Philip IV. He was an individualistic artist of the contemporary Baroque period, important as a portrait artist...
, which had been copied by Goya. In vivid contrast, the features of his monstrous companion recall the friars depicted by Goya his Caprichos and Disparates.
The black paintings were not intended to be seen by anyone but the artist. Two Old Men likely occupied a position on the first floor, opposite Judith and Holofernes
Judith and Holofernes (Goya)
Judith and Holofernes is the name given to one of the 14 Black Paintings painted by Francisco de Goya between 1819 and 1823. By this time, Goya was in his mid 70s and deeply disillusioned...
. Like other paintings in the series, it was transferred to canvas between 1873-74 under the supervision of Salvador Martínez Cubells, a curator at the Museo del Prado
Museo del Prado
The Museo del Prado is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It features one of the world's finest collections of European art, from the 12th century to the early 19th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, and unquestionably the best single collection of...
. The owner, Baron Emile d'Erlanger, donated the canvases to the Spanish state in 1881, and they are now on display at the Museo del Prado.