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Goya Memorial

Goya Memorial is a monument to Francisco de Goya in Zaragoza’s Plaza del Pilar, near the Cathedral of the Savior and the Lonja. Conceived by architect José Beltrán Navarro and sculptor Federico Marés, who directed the works, it was originally designed as a picturesque statue group with two men and two women dressed as majos and majas. It was inaugurated on 8 October 1960. The painter’s figure stands on a tall, stepped pedestal, with bent legs and a brush held between his hands. One wall bears Goya’s phrase about fantasy and reason. Later, the square was remodeled and the sculpture was integrated into a large fountain designed by Ricardo Usón.

Goya Memorial bronze figure on a stone pedestal with \
The Goya Memorial shows a bronze figure of the artist standing on a tall pedestal in Zaragoza.
September 2023 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Goya memorial bronze sculpture of a man holding a paintbrush and sketchpad on a stone pedestal
The Goya Memorial in Zaragoza shows a bronze figure of the artist standing on a stone pedestal.
July 2010 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Goya Memorial bronze sculpture of a man in a period coat holding a paintbrush, with a lit stone building behind it at night.
The Goya Memorial shown at night, with the bronze figure lit against a stone building.
December 2009 © · CC BY 2.0
The Goya Memorial bronze statue sits on a low granite platform in a sunny public square.
The Goya Memorial shown in a paved square on a sunny day.
July 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Goya Memorial with bronze statues and a taller monument in a city square
The Goya Memorial stands in a public square with bronze statues, surrounding buildings, and trees.
© · CC BY 3.0

Identification

TitleGoya memorial
Typememorial sculpture
SubjectFrancisco de Goya (1746–1828), the Spanish painter
PurposeHomage to Francisco de Goya, the greatest painter born in Aragon
Original German titleFrancisco-de-Goya-Denkmal

Creator

SculptorFederico Marés (Frederic Marès i Deulovol)
Nationality of sculptorCatalan

History and provenance

First planned commission1946, by the Executive Committee (Comité Ejecutivo) in the Provincial Council of Zaragoza, for the bicentenary of Goya's birth; the project was not realized
Second commission1959, sponsored by Banco Zaragozano for the fiftieth anniversary of the bank's founding
Commissioned artistFrederic Marès i Deulovol
Date of inauguration8 October 1960
Original conceptionOriginally conceived as a picturesque statue with two men and two women dressed as majos and majas from the costumes Goya immortalized in his tapestry cartoons

Physical characteristics

Main figure inscriptionGoya
Foreground sculpturesTwo pairs of overlife-size bronze sculptures placed on the forecourt in front of the monument
Fountain designA broad surface fountain with water flowing over large, low white slabs
Pedestal inscriptionA Zaragoza / Banco Zaragozano / 1910–1960
ClothingElegant frock coat
PedestalAbout three meters high, marble, with a tall stepped form
Objects heldA pencil in the right hand and a paint box in the left hand; in another description, a paintbrush held between the hands
Figure poseStanding in a relaxed pose, leaning with his back against a wall, with his legs bent and the right leg crossed in front of the left
FigureOverlife-size bronze statue of Goya

Location and ownership

LocationPlaza del Pilar, Zaragoza, Spain, in front of the Cathedral of the Savior and near La Lonja
Nearby landmarksThe Cathedral of the Savior and La Lonja

History and restoration

Later remodelingThe Plaza del Pilar was later remodeled, integrating the Goya sculptural ensemble into a fountain
Later project architectRicardo Usón
Forecourt redesign1990, designed by architect Ricardo Usón; fountains and water jets were installed

Iconography and meaning

Foreground figuresMajos and majas from the rural population
Foreground scenesPicnic-like scenes based on Goya's wall paintings and tapestry cartoons, including La merienda and El cacharrero

Significance

Related memorialAnother Francisco de Goya memorial is located in Madrid