And so was his Grandfather
Technical details
Author:
Francisco de Goya y Lucientes
Title:
And so was his Grandfather
Timeline:
1799
Technique:
Aquatint
Description
Through this asinine image Goya attacked Godoy, for whom genealogists and kings of arms prepared a family tree as long as it was absurd and pretentious, making him a descendent of the Visigothic kings of Spain. The noble ass (his coat of arms is on the side of the desk) amuses himself by contemplating a book containing his long family tree. His numerous ancestors were asses like himself. For the enlightened thinkers, most of the Spanish nobility contributed nothing of value to Spanish society; they wereneither cultured nor concerned about the economy or the country's development.
Location in the museum
You may find this artwork on Floor 2 Goya’s Etchings