arts
Return of Aparicio painting to Prado exemplifies trajectory of human taste
Once the Madrid museum’s biggest draw, The Year of the Famine in Madrid fell out of favour for political and aesthetic reasons
TL;DR
- "The Year of the Famine in Madrid," painted by José Aparicio in 1818, was a highly popular exhibit at the Prado museum in its early years.
- The painting depicted emaciated Madrileños nobly refusing aid from French soldiers, symbolizing patriotic resistance.
- Over time, the painting lost its political and aesthetic appeal, leading to its removal from the museum.
- It is now being displayed again as part of the "A Work, a Story" exhibition series, encouraging reflection on art history's overlooked aspects.
- The exhibition aims to show how taste, politics, and context influence the perception and importance of artworks, contrasting Aparicio's painting with Goya's contemporary depictions of suffering.