This small 'Cabinet' oil painting on tin shows the oppressive interior of a prison; it thought to be one of the top 100 most important paintings in Britain.

 

Francisco Goya (1746 – 1828) was born in Spain and became famous for his unflattering yet sympathetic portraits of Spanish royalty and his shocking etchings entitled 'The Disasters of War'. In 1792 he suffered a serious illness which left him deaf and changed his approach to depicting the world around him. He felt isolated and pessimistic and his work reflects despair and fear of man's inhumanity to man.

 

The Interior of a Prison shows seven prisoners positioned diagonally in the lowest third of the painting. They are dominated by a dungeon arch painted in three distinct tones of darkest brown to cream.

The restricted palette of browns, greys, black and cream is sombre and oppressive befitting the subject matter. The stooped figures wear rags and are blurred, forcing the onlooker to look closely at the scene. Chains and fetters can be seen in the gloom.

 

Goya's concern for human rights was expressed through his skilful application of colour, line and shape which can be interpreted universally. There is a sense of compassion for their plight. Over 200 years later this painting is still meaningful.