Concept of Beauty in the Romantic Artworks of Francisco de Goya

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze concept of beauty in the romantic artworks of Francisco de Goya. This study selects 20 oil paintings in the Romantic style, focusing on three key points: 1) Aesthetic judgment 2) Aesthetic experience and 3) Aesthetic value. This is a qualitative research conducted using an analytic description.

The results of this research found that:

1. Concept of beauty in the romantic artworks of Francisco de Goya were shaped by his rejection of superstition and the profound social and political, which had a deeply emotional impact on the artist. In response, Goya departed from the compositional norms and content conventions of the Renaissance tradition. Instead, he emphasized the integration of social realities with imaginative elements. Beauty in his work is expressed through emotional intensity and the symbolic critique of society. Thus, aesthetic judgment is shown to be relative, as it varies according to social conditions, thereby aligning with the concept of relativism.
2. Aesthetic experience is shaped by reactions against superstition, as well as by the socio-political and historical contexts of each era, all of which exert influence on both the creation of artworks and the perception of those works by audiences. Accordingly, the evaluation of beauty does not arise solely from the artwork itself or the perceiver alone but rather emerges from the dynamic interaction between the two, both of which are situated within specific social and temporal contexts.
3. In terms of aesthetic value, Goya’s works reflect societal issues through vivid content that resonates across class boundaries. These works act as a catalyst for social awareness and transformation. They also articulate demands for justice in the face of political oppression. Hence, the aesthetic value of Goya’s works strongly embodies the concept of art for society.