Goya and the Duchess of Alba (Pegasus Library)
by Susann Waldmann
Category: Art

The story of the relationship between Goya and the Duchess of Alba is shrouded in mystery and secrecy, and has captured the imaginations of authors since the middle of the 19th century. It is not only Goya's artistic crisis, which began with his traumatic illness in 1792-93 in Cadiz, and the creation of his famous "Caprichos" series, but also his affair with the Duchess of Alba that make the period in Goya's life between 1790 and 1800 so intriguing. But what do we know about this love affair, which continues to fascinate us today? Did it actually take place, or was it merely a rumor? What really happened? How is it documented? And what sort of woman was the Duchess of Alba, who, according to a romantic version of the story, nearly drove Goya out of his senses? If we rely on contemporary accounts, her life consisted largely of gossip, illicit love affairs, and all conceivable breaks with social conventions. We would know very little about this woman today had she not encountered Francisco de Goya. Susann Waldmann investigates these and other events by examining various contemporary documents, letters from Goya to his friends, and numerous anecdotes, unfolding a sensational turn of events full of suspense. A fascinating text accompanied by excellent reproductions of Goya's well known paintings and drawings.