On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P00725
- Author
- Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de (Spanish)
- Title
- General José de Palafox on Horseback
- Chronology
- Ca. 1814
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 248 cm x 224 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- LEGADO
- Procedence
- Legacy II Duke of Saragossa, 1884
This portrait of José Rebolledo de
Palafox y Melci (1775-1847), Field
Marshal of Saragossa, commemorates
his defense of the city in 1808
when it was besieged by the French
during the War of Independence.
Palafox became a symbol of
patriotic resistence to the invader
when he refused to capitulate
despite the terrible state in which
his city and its defenders found
themselves.
Goya seems to have taken advantage
of this slightly theatrical
composition to bring out the
model's vanity. Indeed, it was
Palafox himself who commissioned
the work in 1814. Still, this
painting's extremely rich and
careful technique is
outstanding.
This portrait was bequeathed to the
Prado Museum by Francisco Palafox y
Soler, the General's son.
Location on the map
