A VISUAL GUIDE THROUGH PRADO MUSEUM
THE EXECUTIONS
ROOM 064
Floor 0
Goya
You are looking at a guide about power. In these paintings, the main idea is our need for power when we face external forces that we cannot control. It also shows how fear is deeply connected to this concept.
This specific painting, "The Third of May 1808", shows us the crudest form of power: violence against those who cannot defend themselves. This is a type of power that is imposed by force. It uses fear as an ally and does not need to be fair or "legal" to control people.
Did you know that...
Curiosity 1
Goya didn't just paint this to show what happened on that night. In 1814, when King Ferdinand VII returned to the throne, Goya suggested the idea for this painting to prove his loyalty. He was afraid the King would reject him because he had worked for the French government. However, the authorities didn't like the painting very much at first; they thought it was too dark and heartbreaking instead of heroic.
Curiosity 2
The main character is the man in the white shirt and yellow trousers. His position reminds us of Jesus Christ on the cross, and his clothes have colors often used in religious art. Interestingly, if you look at his right hand, there is a wound that looks like a gunshot, but it is also very similar to the nail wounds of Christ. Is this a coincidence?
Curiosity 3
During the Spanish Civil War, we almost lost this painting and its "partner" (The Second of May). The truck moving the paintings out of Madrid had an accident, and the canvas was ripped from one side to the other. It was later restored, but even today, you can see a slight difference in the paint. This scar remains as a memory of not just one, but two wars.
Painting audio guide:
Audio made by Miguel Catalán highschool students Karen and Antonio
Audio transcription:
“Right now, you're standing in front of The Execution of the 3rd of May 1808 by Francisco de Goya. The location of the painting is in Museo del Prado, Madrid, room 064. The Execution of 3rd of May in 1808 was created by Francisco de Goya in 1814. It represents a tragic event that took place in Madrid during the Spanish War of Independence following Napoleon's invasion. On the left side of the painting, we see a group of Spanish civilians who are going to be executed. The main focus is the man in the white shirt standing with his arms raised. His expression is both terrified and courageous, making him a symbol of resistance and human dignity. On the right side, a line of soldiers point their rifles at the victims. Their dark uniforms and the fact that we cannot see their faces make them appear like machines, following orders without emotion. Goya's use of light and color intensifies this drama. The bright light from a lantern on the ground illuminates the central figure, while the rest of the scene is covered in these shadows of black and brown tones. This contrast highlights the man's white shirt, transforming him into a symbol of innocence and sacrifice despite the darkness. The composition follows a diagonal line from the victims in the foreground to the soldiers in the background, creating tension, movement and depth. The dark night sky adds to the atmosphere of fear and despair. From a historical point of view, the painting shows the horror and cruelty of war, focusing on the suffering of ordinary people rather than on heroic acts. Goya's intention was to reveal the truth about war, its brutality and its victims. Belonging to the Romantic style, this work expresses deep emotion and human drama. It is considered one of the first modern paintings to portray war not as something glorious, but as something tragic and senseless. The man in the white shirt has become a universal symbol of the fight against oppression. Goya's masterpiece has inspired generations of artists who, like him, wanted to speak out against violence and injustice."
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