GOYA IN CACERES

We are so fortunate to have this marvellous local exhibition of Goya's four great series of etchings   Los Caprichos, Los Desastres de la Guerra, La Tauromaqina and Los Disparates (The Follies or Proverbios or Sueños).

The exhibition is called GOYA, TESTIGO DE SU TIEMPO: GOYA, WITNESS OF HIS TIME.
 A very apt title as Goya recorded unflinchingly the turbulent events of his life time in a Spain torn by religious bigotry, social upheavals, war, famine but also the rituals and customs of Spain, the popular entertainments of carnival, bull fighting, fiestas. The costumes and customs of the rich and poor meticulously recorded, the majas and majos, the beggars and prostitutes with the ever present Celestina, a name that has become synonomous for procuress in Spanish culture and she appears over and over again in Goya's work as a series of hideous old hags.
Seeing these again, they remind me of the huge influence Goya has had  and continues to have on 20th and 21st century art. Look at this, Paula Rego springs to mind!

These etchings made from original plates are owned by 3 individual private collectors and have been brought together for a touring exhibition, they have already been shown in Paris and Istanbul and now until June 06 at Fundación Mercedes Calles Y Carlos Ballestero at Casa Palacio de Los Becerra in the ancient city centre, Plaza San Jorge 2. www.fmercedescalles.org 
Only negative comment on exhibition is the framing, the reflections are distracting, non-reflective glass would have made the experience even better.

Another plus of this exhibition is the new restaurant also owned by the foundation right in front of the palacio at the foot of the Jesuit church and with access to the charming little garden of Ulloa
http://jardindeulloa.com/    Great tapas and more substantial dishes, fantastic quality and reasonable prices.