The Third of May - After Goya
Artist
Robert Ballagh
(b. 1943)
Date1970
MediumAcrylic on canvas
Dimensions165 x 220 cm
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineCollection & image © Hugh Lane Gallery.
Elizabeth McDonnell Bequest, 1972.
Object number1324
DescriptionThis painting is adapted from The Third of May 1808, 1814-15 (Prado, Madrid) a powerful work by the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya (1746-1828). King Ferdinard VII was restored to the Spanish throne in 1814 after the French occupation (1808-1814) and Goya painted for him his now famous scene of the bloody uprising of the citizens of Madrid against the occupying forces. Together with Ballagh's adaptations of works by David and Delacroix, this painting forms part of a series, which refers directly to events in Northern Ireland. In interview in 1979, the artist explained that he adapted these images into a poster style, by simplifying them and keeping the original composition. "…the lines that I drew were kept a constant thickness so that they would not have any personal expressive quality. In other words, the lines could never be gestural or in any way romantic."
Ballagh studied architecture before beginning to paint in earnest around 1967 when he assisted Micheal Farrell with an important mural commission for the National Bank, College Green. Ballagh's own work from that time embraces the abstract idiom. He later found that too restricting and changed to figurative imagery, which characterises his work to-date and he is best-known for his portraits and self-portraits. He is also a noted graphic designer, photographer and designer of stage sets.
ROBERT BALLAGH
b. 1943
The Third of May - after Goya - 1970
Acrylic on canvas 168 x 223 cm
Prov. Elizabeth McDonnell Bequest, 1972.
Having worked initially in an abstract idiom, in the late 1960's Ballagh concerned himself with contemporary social and political issues. Influenced by the International Pop Art style his selected images express his concern about international militarism and in particular about the violence in Northern Ireland. The Third of May - after Goya, is adapted from The Third of May 1808 (Padro, Madrid) painted by the Spanish artist Goya when King Ferdinand VII was restored to the Spanish throne in 1814 after the French occupation (1808-14) and Goya painted for him, his now famous scene of the bloody uprising of the citizens of Madrid against the occupying forces. Ballagh has painted a number of compositions which were inspired by internationally known masterpieces.
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