St. Gregory the Great 1797

Francisco Goya’s “St. Gregory the Great” (1797) depicts the iconic religious figure in a moment of focused writing. The painting, now housed in the Museum of Romanticism in Madrid, showcases Goya’s signature use of chiaroscuro lighting, creating a dramatic contrast between light and shadow that accentuates the saint’s contemplative posture. This dramatic effect, a hallmark of Goya’s later works, reflects the growing darkness and disillusionment that characterized his artistic vision. The painting provides a glimpse into the artist's fascination with the human condition, particularly the tension between faith and doubt, and the complexities of human emotions.