The artwork “Manuel Godoy, Duke of Alcudia, ‘Prince of Peace’” is an oil on canvas painting by the distinguished Spanish artist Francisco Goya, created in 1801. Embodied within the Romanticism art movement, the artwork presents a portrait genre and measures 180 x 267 cm. The esteemed piece is part of the collection at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, located in Madrid, Spain.
The artwork depicts Manuel Godoy, a significant Spanish political figure who rose to prominence in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, seated upon a dark horse and donning a lavishly adorned red uniform with intricate detailing and decorations. Godoy holds a document in his right hand, perhaps signifying his power and influence as his left hand rests on a sword hilt, emphasizing his military rank and authority. His expression exudes confidence and self-assurance.
Godoy is the central figure, illuminated and set apart from the less distinctly rendered figures behind him, which include aides and soldiers, hinting at his elevated status. The setting appears to be outdoors with a spectral quality to the atmosphere, delivering a sense of gravity and drama befitting the Romanticism era, which favored emotional depth and grandeur. The sumptuousness of his attire, together with his imposing posture, portrays the power and prestige that Godoy possessed during his lifetime.
