The Parasol, 1777
Oil on canvas  © Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado

Day and night play an important role in the works of the Spanish master Francisco Goya (1746–1828), considered one of the fathers of modern art. While day serves as the background for joyful scenes, nighttime calls forth monsters that threaten to engulf the world – until dawn breaks and banishes them. The exhibition features ten oil paintings – including The Parasol, Flight of Witches, and The Straw Manikin – from the Prado Museum in Madrid, on view for the first time in Israel. Five of the works were made as preparatory paintings for a series of tapestries that adorned the palace of Goya’s benefactor, the future King Charles IV of Spain. Also on display are Goya’s bold series of etchings created at various stages of his artistic life, such as Los Caprichos, Los Destastres de la Guerra, and Tauromaquia.

Shepherd Playing a Pipe (Dulziana), 1786-87
Oil on canvas  © Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado

The exhibition marks thirty years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Spain.