Truth, Time and History facts for kids

Truth, Time and History (Spanish: La Verdad, el Tiempo y la Historia) is a famous oil painting by the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya. It is also known by other names, like Spain, Time, and History or Allegory of the Constitution of 1812. An allegory is a story or painting that uses symbols to represent a deeper meaning or idea.

This painting was likely created between 1804 and 1808. Today, you can see it at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Sweden. Many people think Goya painted this artwork along with another one called Poetry. Both paintings might have been made for Manuel Godoy, who was a very important government official in Spain at that time. They might have decorated his palace in Madrid.

What the Painting Shows

This painting shows three main figures. They are symbols for important ideas.

The Figure of Truth

On the left side of the painting is a woman dressed in white. She represents Truth. She is holding a book that is open at her feet. She also has a green cloth wrapped around her waist.

The Figure of Time

Behind Truth, on the right, you can see Time. Time is shown as an old man with a beard. He holds an hourglass, which is a tool used to measure time. His face looks up, so you can't see all his features clearly. Time has large white wings that spread out beyond the edges of the painting. He is holding the arm of the third figure.

The Third Figure

There are different ideas about who the third woman in the painting is. She is the one Time is holding. Some people think she represents History. She is often seen as a symbol of the past and how events unfold over time.

The background of the painting is light behind Truth, making her stand out. On the right side, around Time, the background is darker.

How Goya Prepared for the Painting

Goya often made sketches and smaller paintings before creating his final large artworks.

Early Sketches

He made a rough oil sketch for Truth, Time and History around 1797 to 1799, or possibly in 1804. This early sketch is now at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Interestingly, this sketch included owls and bats, which are not in the final painting.

Another sketch, made with red chalk, shows Time and Truth in slightly different positions. This sketch also shows dark owls in the corner. It is now in the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain. This drawing was part of a small sketchbook Goya used while he was in Italy. Experts believe this sketch was made to prepare for another famous series of prints by Goya called Los Caprichos. However, it might also be connected to Truth, Time and History.

Where the Painting Has Been

Knowing the provenance of a painting means knowing its history of ownership. The first clear record of this painting is from 1867.

Journey Through Collections

A writer named Charles Yriarte noted that this painting, along with Poetry, was owned by Juan Duncan Shaw. He was the Austrian consul in Cádiz, Spain. Because these two paintings appeared together in this record, they are often thought of as a pair.

After Mr. Shaw passed away in 1878, the paintings were passed down through his family. Here is a timeline of where the painting has been:

• 1900: It was owned by Mr. Luis de Navas in Madrid.
• Later: It became part of the collection of Charles Deering from Chicago. He displayed it in his home in Sitges, Barcelona for a while before it moved to Chicago.
• 1927: After Mr. Deering's death, a New York company called E. & A. Silberman Galleries bought the painting.
• 1961: Finally, the painting was acquired by the National Museum of Fine Arts in Stockholm, where it is today.

See also

In Spanish: La Verdad, el Tiempo y la Historia para niños