Goya memorial, Bronze and marble monument in Plaza del Pilar, Zaragoza, Spain.
The Goya memorial is a bronze and marble structure on Plaza del Pilar showing the artist as a standing figure holding a canvas. Traditional figures from Spanish society surround the composition below, creating a multi-part installation that connects the painter to his sources of inspiration.
The memorial was inaugurated in 1960 following several years of planning that began in the 1940s. Financial constraints had pushed back the initial project, but eventually the necessary resources were secured to complete the work.
The sculptures depict majos and majas, figures from rural Spanish society that inspired Goya's own tapestry designs. These characters appear in the composition as representations of the artist's preferred subjects from everyday people.
The memorial sits directly on Plaza del Pilar between the Cathedral and the market building, making it simple to reach on foot. The surrounding plaza offers plenty of space to view and photograph the sculptures without congestion.
A major renovation in the late 1980s introduced water fountains around the memorial, transforming the original quiet setting. This reshaping of the plaza gave the monument a completely different environment.
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