Up until recently, I hadn't been familiar with the work of Goya. However, when a friend kindly gave me tickets to discover the exhibition Goya: The Portraits, it seemed a wonderful opportunity to become better acquainted with the Spanish romantic painter's portraiture work, as I gather he is mostly famed for his depiction of war. The exhibition was on display at the National Gallery in London from 7th October to 10th January, so you can go ahead and slap me on the wrists for sharing my thoughts the day after the banners came down...
Needless to say, photography wasn't permitted once you'd shown your tickets in the Sainsbury Wing and passed through the ropes. Regardless, it most likely would have been taken off the agenda anyway due to the crowd the exhibition attracted! I was well and truly taken aback by just how popular the exhibition was, though far less surprised once I'd shuffled my way forwards and seen Goya's portraiture work up close. With explanatory leaflets in hand, visitors wound their way through the dark, atmospheric rooms and admired the paintings. Personally, I'm a quiet observer when it comes to artwork; my thoughts stay in my head. Though, that's not to say I didn't enjoy listening to the various musings of other visitors as they observed '70 of the artist's most outstanding works' - both profound and uh, otherwise!

Something I found equally as impressive as the paintings, drawings and miniatures, was the background provided on Goya's life. The artist secured his first important portrait commission at the age of thirty-seven and continued to gain popularity and patrons ranging from aristocrats to military figures. One thing is for certain, many of the faces of his subjects are now firmly fixed in my head - his own Self-portrait with Dr Arrieta included. The painting shows him in a state of despair and illness before being brought back from the brink of death by the care of his good friend, Dr Arrieta. Was it moving? Definitely. If absolute recollection is the sign of a good artist, I can confirm I'm one of Goya's latest fans!
The National Gallery
Trafalgar Square
London
WC2N 5DN
With love,
Gabrielle x
Needless to say, photography wasn't permitted once you'd shown your tickets in the Sainsbury Wing and passed through the ropes. Regardless, it most likely would have been taken off the agenda anyway due to the crowd the exhibition attracted! I was well and truly taken aback by just how popular the exhibition was, though far less surprised once I'd shuffled my way forwards and seen Goya's portraiture work up close. With explanatory leaflets in hand, visitors wound their way through the dark, atmospheric rooms and admired the paintings. Personally, I'm a quiet observer when it comes to artwork; my thoughts stay in my head. Though, that's not to say I didn't enjoy listening to the various musings of other visitors as they observed '70 of the artist's most outstanding works' - both profound and uh, otherwise!
Something I found equally as impressive as the paintings, drawings and miniatures, was the background provided on Goya's life. The artist secured his first important portrait commission at the age of thirty-seven and continued to gain popularity and patrons ranging from aristocrats to military figures. One thing is for certain, many of the faces of his subjects are now firmly fixed in my head - his own Self-portrait with Dr Arrieta included. The painting shows him in a state of despair and illness before being brought back from the brink of death by the care of his good friend, Dr Arrieta. Was it moving? Definitely. If absolute recollection is the sign of a good artist, I can confirm I'm one of Goya's latest fans!
The National Gallery
Trafalgar Square
London
WC2N 5DN
With love,
Gabrielle x
I like gallerie and paintings, great post thank you for sharing with us :-)
ReplyDeleteI love Goya's work, but most of the paintings I've seen of his are rather haunting and gruesome, such as those depicting war. I would've loved to seen this exhibition and more of his portraiture!
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Sounds like you had a wonderful time! I'm unfamiliar with Goya's work; I don't recall learning about him at the University for my art class, which I loved, btw! Art is so inspiring and the beauty of it is that it can be interpreted in so many ways and can leave such a profound impact on our daily lives and how we view things moving forward. Thanks so much for sharing, beautiful, and I hope you're having a great start to your day and week :)
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Love this post! I always love exploring art museums!
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I became acquainted with Goya's work through an art class at the Metropolitan Museum of Art so I can imagine this exhibition would have been a real visual treat. Thanks for sharing your experience with us Gabrielle!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots! I'm not too familiar with Goya's work but that must have been so amazing to see!
ReplyDeleteXO Raquel
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Looks like a great exhibition! Amazing portraits. Would have been amazing to see!
ReplyDeleteFlorals&Smiles
Looks like it would be a great exhibit. Love your shoes!!!!! You look fabulous
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so lovely! I'm a silent observer myself, I'm not the best at putting my awe into words, though it is fun to listen to others. This must have been fascinating!
ReplyDeleteAmber | y a c h t s m a a n
I agree, hearing the other visitors voice their opinions is part of the fun. But, once again: You did an art exhibition in these shoes? I am more than impressed.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
I'm going to be honest and say that my knowledge on art is pretty pathetic, though I do enjoy attending art exhibitions. I've only been to one in my life and I'm looking forward to attending more should opportunities permit. Goya's work sounds fantastic, and the amount of people exhibitions often attract confound me too.
ReplyDeleteMay | THE MAYDEN | bloglovin'
What an amazing place, Gabrielle! The pictures are gorgeous. I love anything about paintings. Goya's work seems surreal. Have a nice week! xx
ReplyDeleteAle | http://alemint.blogspot.com.co/
Oh I love galleries! Beautiful pictures love.
ReplyDeleteStephanie | www.stephykeung.com
This place seems interesting.
ReplyDeleteI'm liking to visit museums as well.
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We were lucky to get invited by Spanish friends to an evening event here with a brilliant talk about Goya, I didn't realize he was so good at making friends with people including the King, which is partly how he got so many commissions
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning place, I love it. Hope to see it one day too :) xx
ReplyDeletewow, hello, hope you have well enjoied those delicated traces and aristrocratic portraits
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The art gallery must have been amazing!
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xo, Alyssa
it's so frustrating that I won't be able to make it to London to see it. Love the outfit, by the way, very chic! x
ReplyDeleteI have never heard about Goya before! I love visiting museum and art gallery! I will absolutely try to go there if it's worth it :)
ReplyDeleteIt must be amazing!
ReplyDeleteEliana,
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I like yuor cool heels !
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beautiful photos!!!
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Those loong legs! You are beautiful dear! I actually have never heard of Goya..
ReplyDeleteDora www.BangsBang.com
Beautiful post as always Gabrielle <3 xx
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This is my happy place! :)
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Such an interesting post! I don't see a lot of art or know a lot about it so I always seem to be surprised when I find someone I really like or study them - because many are really interesting! I recently did a school project on an artist called Tim Cantor and I knew nothing about him and I was surprised by his interesting story! This sounds really fun and I'd be interested in seeing this! :))
ReplyDeleteFilippa ⎮ Always a Dot
great this museum
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great time there
Kiss kiss.*Jo
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I never went to national gallery, but from your photos it looks amazing!
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Oh gosh now this looks like an exhibition worth visiting! I'd love to go check this one out at the national gallery! Thanks for the inspiration Gabrielle! :) Btw you look gorgeous, love the outfit!
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Great shots, I loved visiting the National Portrait Gallery. Btw, you are rocking those heels! xx
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You look so pretty! ♥
ReplyDeleteHave a very Happy Wednesday!
xoxo Suzy ( ˘ ³˘)♥
THE KAWAII PLANET
Your face is so beautiful!
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XO, Claire
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Sounds like you had a lovely time, I am in love with your shoes by the way- so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Gabrielle :)
X
Anjelique
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I don't think I've every been to a gallery like this before. Must try!
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You look so lovely! I love the photos you took of the gallery, thank you for sharing this experience <3
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So glad you got to go Gabrielle. You learned a lot and that is what you're taking with you. It wasn't there long, but well received.
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I must go to this, great exhibition!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day :)
Rosanna x
Rose's Rooftop
Gabrielle u look ravishing! Hadn't heard of Goya so thanks for sharing this, i am always intrigued by how beauty and romance are depicted through art!
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Hi Gabrielle. Such a lovely post, and a reminder that we should take advantage more of museums and exhibitions. I used to be so be interested in art, especially painters such as Rubens, and Matisse. But I didn't know too much about Goya, so thank you for letting us in on your visit!
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Wow you're so lucky darling!! I would love to visit the National Gallery, so exciting!! *-*
ReplyDeleteAmazing pics!!
xoxo
Beautiful review Gabrielle! and don't you look fab?? Those heels are so hot
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The place looks so intellectual, dear! Looks like you had a great outing. Looking so good! xoxo
ReplyDeleteGoya is such a talent! You are lucky you got to see such an incredible exhibit! Thank you for sharing about the experience. Have a wonderful day!
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This is a favourite place to visit and this particular exhibition looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite parts of attending museums is learning about the artists's life, too! xo!
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos ! :)
ReplyDeleteNEW POST! : THE COLORFUL THOUGHTS
Oh that sucks you couldn't take pictures but I'm sure it was a really nice thing to see. I haven't been to a museum since the summer so I should definitely go back and check one out.
ReplyDelete-M
www.violetroots.com
How lucky you were to get some tickets! It was indeed the perfect moment to get better acquainted with Goya's work. Must have been interesting!
ReplyDeleteThis exhibition is right up my street. Admittedly, I am a fan of Goya, so it's a natural lean of interest. You look so lovely in these images, and I'm happy that you shared your experience. <3 Enjoy the rest of your week Gabrielle. /Madison
ReplyDeletePrime Beauty
Such a cool exhibition! Thanks for sharing!
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Such beautiful shots!! Looks like loads of fun!
ReplyDeleteAdi xx
www.fancycorrectitude.com
I think it's so amazing to explore and get to know more about the art and culture. This sounds like such a great exhibition, hon. So glad you had a lovely time - kudos to the friend who gave you tickets :) p.s. you look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a great week, sweets.
xox Nadia
http://www.mielandmint.com/
I am not that knowledgeable on art, however this looks to have been a fantastic exhibit.
ReplyDeleteKeisha xo
The Chrysalis Gal
wow!! magnificent! :D
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Animated Confessions
Ah, I wish I had gotten a chance to visit while I was in London! It's always fascinating to immerse yourself in something new by jumping in headfirst at a museum. By the way, obsessed with your shoes!
ReplyDeleteVia Sora
Goya is really a painter that worries me Gabrielle. I saw him at the Prado in Madrid. Some of his works leave amazed. Kisses from Italy and thank you for your visit,
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Eniwhere Fashion
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Loving his painting, I have seen Goya many times, he has also some of his painting in Churches near where I come from as he was from Aragon, Spain, from the same Region as me and we are so proud of it :)
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Thanks a lot Gabrielle!
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LOVE the second pic! You are such a beauty! *_* ♥
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would have loved to be there also :) I first learned about Goya when one of his artworks where stolen and it was all over the news years ago so I did some research to see what his art was like and I was very glad I did.
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beautiful photos
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Looks like a fantastic event Gabrielle. Have a great day! Gemma xx
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Nice to know you had a good time, Gabrielle! This exhibition is something I would enjoy too :) Have a wonderful day, dear! xx
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Great photos! I'd love to pay a visit to that gallery. My dad is a huge art collector so I grew up with a real appreciation for it <3
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Oh wow what a beautiful building, and I absolutely love your gorgeous boots! xx
ReplyDeleteGemma ♥ | Miss Makeup Magpie
I love Goya...I learned about him in highschool but I was able to appreciate his works fully only when I became a bit more advanced in age:)...somethings take time. I became a firm fan of his work in my mid tweenties and now I consider him to be one of the most inspiring artist ever. There is so much emotion in his paintings. Lucky you to be able to appreciate it in person!
ReplyDeleteI think we can only trully appreciate art of this sort when we actually see it before our eyes...Especially when it comes to oil paintings. Somehow photographs don't really capture the warmth of oil paints. I always go to galleries when I find the time...and I do get so moved by watching paintings sometimes!
btw you look stunning in all black!!!!!!!
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I love this museum!
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This exhibit is beautiful! Happy Friday.
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Thats so nice post, great look my dear,,
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Wow! you look so pretty <33 love your boots :)
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You look lovely! The National Portrait gallery is one of my faves <33
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You look amazing, very beautiful pieces looks like you had a great time.
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I learnt a lot about Goya and his work at school. It's a shame I missed the exhibition.
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Beautiful place and really great exhibition! You look absolutely amazing and perfect for the occasion! I'm in love with your boots and smile!
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Looks awesome~ me and hubby love a good museum <3
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These pictures made me miss london! such a beautiful city!
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Looks like it was an amazing exhibition! Goya's work is amazing. Hope you enjoyed :) Love the look, too! x
ReplyDeleteErica
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I would love to be there and enjoy this fantastic exhibit, I like to visit art museum every now and then, here in florence there are many great exhibits to visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing bella.
Love those shoes!!!
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I've never heard of him but his work looks incredible :) I went past the National Gallery when I was in London but I didn't get the chance to go in. You are looking super beautiful too- your boots are hot
ReplyDeleteRachel xx
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This sounds like a magnificent exhibit to see! Goya is a master! Love museums, I need a visit soon. You look gorgeous, love your hair and those boots!
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Goya is amazing! and your shoes are too
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I only recently became aware of who Goya was (apparently I live under a rock!) but this exhibition looks like it had some great pieces on show. Posts like this always inspire me to get out there more in my own city and check out things like art galleries and exhibitions, I tend to always think 'I'll go later' but then it never ends up happening!
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What a lovely gallery! xx http://www.aglassofice.com/
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