The artwork titled “Still Life With Golden Bream” is a creation by the illustrious Spanish painter Francisco Goya, completed between 1808 and 1812 during his time in Spain. This piece is executed in oil medium and exemplifies elements of the Romanticism and Realism art movements. It possesses dimensions of 44.8 x 62.5 cm and falls under the genres of animal painting and still life.
Upon examining the artwork, one is met with an intimate portrayal of nature’s stillness, featuring golden bream fish laid out in an arrangement that invites contemplation. The background is subdued, dominated by deep, dark hues that juxtapose the shimmering texture and delicate silver and gold tones of the fish. Goya’s brushwork showcases the realism that was part of his stylistic repertoire, bringing an almost tactile realism to the fish, with their life-like eyes and glossy flesh. The attention to detail in the scales and fins implies a skilled observation, while the composition and use of lighting imbue the scene with a mood that resonates with the Romantic movement’s focus on emotion and the sublime. The minimalistic setting and the absence of human presence direct the viewer’s focus solely on the natural elements and the mortality inherent in the still life genre. Goya’s mastery in capturing the essence of his subject matter is evident, offering a poignant meditation on the simple yet profound elements of existence.
