Francisco Goya, Saturn Devouring One of His Sons
Francisco Goya’s “Saturn Devouring One of His Sons” may be
interpreted in many ways. On its
surface, it is a representation of the mythology it portrays. I addition, I believe it metaphorically
represents the social injustice of Goya’s time.
The artist’s hauntingly graphic rendition depicts the brutal suppression
imposed by members of Europe ’s upper class.
Saturn represents unjust royalty. The scale of his stature, in contrast to the
human, indicates his dominance over the smaller figure. His savage appearance is a commentary on the
uncivilized, inner behavior of the royal soul.
Beneath their ornate outer appearance, oppressive rulers are ugly and
brutal in nature.
Saturn’s son represents the lower classes of society—the
common people. Possessing little or no
political power, the people are helpless to defend themselves against
oppressive government—just as Saturn’s son is helpless to defend himself, or
escape the suffocating grasp of his father in Goya’s painting.
Saturn first devoured his son’s head, leaving the body limp
and lifeless, without hope. Likewise,
the wicked royalty would first cut off those resources most valuable to the
people, leaving little room for hope of progress or improvement. In such a state, the wealthy are free to live
in pleasure, feeding, in essence, on the lives of the poor.
Though Goya may not have intended, I see his painting as a
foreshadowing of the bloody revolutions that would shortly follow such
oppression.