Don Andres del Peral 1798

Francisco de Goya painted Don Andres del Peral with oil on canvas; we don't know the exact date, but it's likely from the late 18th or early 19th century. Goya, a court painter in Spain, had a knack for capturing the psychological depth of his subjects. Born during the Enlightenment, a period of intense intellectual and political change, Goya lived through the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. His work often grapples with themes of power, inequality, and the human condition. In this portrait, Don Andres del Peral is depicted with a direct gaze and a somewhat stern expression. There's an air of self-possession about him. What's particularly interesting is how Goya plays with the conventions of portraiture, moving away from idealized representations to capture something more real, more human. This shift reflects broader changes in society, as traditional hierarchies were being challenged. He captures not just the man's likeness, but also something of his inner life. The painting makes you wonder about the lives and experiences of those who lived through such tumultuous times.