The Black Paintings of Goya, Juan José Junquera, Scala, 2003, 1st Ed., Fine

Junquera, Juan Jose. The Black Paintings of Goya (London: Scala, 2003).

English, First Edition, Fine, SC, 8vo, 10 3/4" x 8," 95 pp., including illustrations and Index.

ISBN: 1857592735

First Edition, Fine multicolored pictorial paper wrappers, white lettering on black spine, color illustration on front. Covers have light rubbing and slight wear to extremities, else pristine and intact. Pages have light age toning, else pristine and intact. Replete with illustrations, most in color, a few in black-and-white. At the time of its publication, this book was apparently the only title available in English that examined Francisco Goya's "Black Paintings." Goya's Black Paintings are 14 murals that the famous Romantic artist painted directly on the walls of his house near Madrid, Quinta del Sordo. The Black Paintings are called such as they are arguably dark and disturbing in theme and visual appearance. Some art historians have interpreted them as being a result of Goya's fear of insanity and bleak outlook on humanity. The Black Paintings are now in the Museo del Prado. Texts by Juan Jose Junquera discuss the history of Quinta del Sordo and Goya's purchase of the villa in 1819, the original placement of the paintings in the villa, the paintings' meanings, Goya's painting techniques implemented in the murals, and X-rays of the paintings.