The bridge between Reason and Romanticism, Francisco Goya y Lucientes was one of the forefathers of modern art. Yet, as Carlos Saura demonstrates, the evolution from court painter to proto-Impressionist came at a considerable psychological price. Isolated by deafness, tormented by Spain's turbulent past and haunted by memories of an affair with the Duchess of Alba (Verdu), Rabal passionately conveys the agony of an exiled genius struggling with his demons.
The flashback structure reinforces this sense of dislocation, although it does make events difficult to follow. However, this is a film more intent on visual than historical authenticity, as Saura and cinematographer Vittorio Storaro expertly recreate Goya's canvases, sketches and lithographs.