Charles IV of Spain and His Family
1800–1801 · Oil on canvas · Museo del Prado, Madrid
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About this work
- Artist
- Francisco Goya (1746–1828)
- Year
- 1800–1801
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Original size
- 280 × 336 cm
- Collection
- Museo del Prado, Madrid
- Movement
- Romanticism
The Spanish royal family stands in a row in the palace at Aranjuez: Charles IV with his decorations, Queen María Luisa in the centre with her two youngest children, the heir Ferdinand in blue at the left with his aunt, the king's brother, the infantas and an unidentified bride whose face is turned away; Goya himself paints in the shadow at the back, as Velázquez had in Las Meninas. He made the group in 1800 and 1801 from ten individual studies painted at Aranjuez, and the glittering silks, sashes and jewels were worked up in the studio. The family approved the result and the old story that the painting mocked them is a later invention, though its unflinching faces have struck viewers ever since. It is one of the central works of the Prado's Goya collection.
This print reproduces the whole work, uncropped, from a high-resolution scan of the original. The original is in the public domain.
Where it works
A row of royals in silver, gold and blue sashes glittering against a dark gallery wall, a formal group for a dining room, hallway or living room at 24×18 in black. Deep red, forest green or dark grey walls suit the court dress; hang it with The Second of May 1808.
Style, size & framing detail
- Style
- Romanticism painting
- Era
- 18th century (1800–1801)
- Orientation
- Landscape
- Mood
- intimate
- Rooms
- living room, dining room, hallway or entryway
- Good gift for
- housewarming, art lovers
Size. We'd hang this one at 24×18. Prints at 16×12, 24×18 in — 16×12 for a shelf, desk or a gallery-wall grid; 24×18 above a console or sideboard.
Framing. The gallery ground is part of the print, so frame it without a mat — black suits the deep tones of this period; natural wood lightens it.
Pairing. Pairs as a set of three with other famous painting prints (10% off three or more).
Details & materials
Shipping & returns
Is this the whole painting, or a crop?
Is Charles IV of Spain and His Family in the public domain?
What is it printed on?
When was Charles IV of Spain and His Family painted, and in what medium?
What size works above a sofa or bed?
About this design
The Madten promise
An exhibition poster
The same artwork as a gallery exhibition poster — title, artist & date typeset beneath the image on a soft ground.
