The Third of May 1808

The Third of May 1808 depicts the execution of Spanish civilians by Napoleon’s army during the French occupation of Madrid. Its stark presentation and emotional force make it a groundbreaking image of the horrors of war. Goya’s visible, urgent brushwork and muted palette of earth tones heighten the painting’s grim intensity. The work breaks from convention by rejecting traditional Christian imagery and heroic battle tropes, making it a foundational painting of the modern era.

Goya painted The Third of May 1808 in 1814 for the Royal Palace of Madrid. The work was later transferred to the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it was stored for several decades. It was rediscovered and exhibited in the late 19th century, briefly evacuated to Valencia during the Spanish Civil War, and is now on permanent display in the museum.