FILM 8: GOYA / HUGHES

Robert Hughes is an Australian art critic and writer. Hughes has written for many prominent newspapers including The Daily Telegraph and The Times. In 1970 he became an art critic for TIME magazine, which is where he began his work in New York. This job also is how Hughes established himself as an influential art critic. Hughes has also done a lot of work in television making series about various artists.  His stories are believable because Hughes has established himself as a credible critic of art. All of his achievements contribute to his credibility, especially the art related awards he has received, like a membership to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Frank Jewett Mather Award for art criticism in 1982 and 1985.

I believe Goya’s most interesting painting is La familia de Carlos IV. This painting was made in 1800 using oil on canvas. This is a painting of the royal family of Charles IV of Spain. The first thing I notice is Charles IV because of the way he is standing. Next, I notice his wife, Queen Maria Luisa. Finally, my eye is drawn to Fernando VII because the light seems to hit him in an interesting manner. The painting controls your eye because there is so much to look at. You may notice all the people first but then later look at their facial expressions which are all very interesting. There are large paintings in the back and even Goya himself. This painting is large and can truly make you look for a long time.

Hughes told his stories by telling them himself. He also interviewed a few people. Unlike the other hosts, he didn’t use historical reenactments or lots of interviews. He talked about Goya himself and showed the paintings, museums, and locations in Spain where Goya resided. So far I think Hughes is the best storyteller because of the passion that he has for Goya’s work. He really is unlike any other storyteller so far. You can tell that he truly loves what he is talking about and that helps as a viewer because all the information is straightforward and also full of interesting ideas. Hughes does not need all the flashy reenactments that most of the other storytellers used because the words he speaks are just as effective.



Question: Which of Goya’s works do you prefer: the ones before his illness struck, or the darker ones after his sickness struck?