Saturn Devouring His Son Analysis

Saturn Devouring His Son is a very interesting Romanticism mural that was created during the 19th Century. The subject matter, as well as the circumstances of the artist behind the work, contain the feeling of tragedy and darkness that draws the viewer in. The canvas transfer of the mural is displayed at the Museo del Parado, in Madrid, Spain.
Saturn Devouring His Son was an oil mural painted on the wall of his house during the 19th century. The large work features Saturn with the bloodied arm of one of his sons in his mouth. Both of the figures are nude, the son covered only with blood that comes from his missing head and unseen arm. Saturn is very large in proportion to his son, who he is able to wrap both hands around. The son hangs lifelessly in his grasp. Saturn clutches his son’s waist in a very desperate way, almost seeming to break him apart with his fingers. Saturn is crouched down, one knee on the ground, as though he is too big even for the amount of space Goya has given him. To push this even further, Saturn is cut off. He fills the space completely. His body is almost …show more content…
After the Industrial revolution and an increase in population, many feared that those with mental illnesses could be dangerous (Holtzman, E., 2003). This is around the time asylums are created, which is a subject that is touched on by Théodore Géricault in his Portraits of the Insane. When looking at the circumstances of the time, it is understandable that Goya would wish to hide the manifestations of the damage his physical illness had on his mental health. This in turn would cause his mental health to dwindle even further. Romanticism tends to focus on what is underneath the surface, and Goya’s Black Paintings illustrates what he feels underneath in a blunt and dark way. Saturn Devouring His Son is, perhaps, just a reflection of his own tormented soul, fearing