Goya: Berlin and Vienna

Review of exhibition, "Goya: Prophet der Moderne" at the Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin, (currently on show at the Kunsthistoriches Museum, Vienna, to 9th January). The exhibition includes works not seen in the exhibitions dedicated to Goya in recent years. This review considers some technical, dating and classification issues raised by some effective juxtapositions and the placing of Goya's witchcraft subjects. Confrontation with these works shows us that nothing can be taken for granted in looking at Goya. It is not wise to make assumptions, or to gloss over the documentation or discrepancies. With an artist so prolific, questions are many and complex; appealing solutions break down when tested against the works themselves. Perhaps this is why Goya is, in fact, a prophet of Modernism. (Quotes from original text)