The Nude Maja - Maja Desnuda c1797 By Francisco Goya

The Nude Maja is one of the most enigmatic and widely discussed paintings by Francisco de Goya. Particularly renowned for the woman's unabashed, direct gaze, this female nude painting remains shocking and striking even to contemporary audiences. Goya completed this famous painting between 1797 and 1800.

Why did Francisco de Goya paint The Nude Maja?

Depicting a naked woman lounging provocatively on a bed covered in pillows and white sheets, Goya painted The Nude Maja for the Manuel de Godoy art collection.
With the title “The Price of the Peace”, Manuel Godoy was the First Secretary of State for Spain, renowned for his diplomacy with Napoleon. He mainly collected famous nude paintings and erotic artworks stored in a unique cabinet to entertain male guests. Another famous painting in his art collection was The Rokeby Venus by Diego Velazquez.

Among famous Spanish artists, Goya’s sensual artwork particularly drew the attention of the ecclesiastical authorities. Manuel de Godoy kept the Nude Maja in his private collection for six years before the Spanish Inquisition unearthed it.

His collection was described as a compendium of “questionable pictures” and led to a highly publicized legal trial. As a result of the proceedings, Godoy revealed the names of the artists behind his “indecent” artworks. Goya faced allegations of moral depravity, and he luckily escaped prosecution. However, the Director of Confiscations noted that the painting followed an artistic precedent set by Titian and his Danae series, as well as Velazquez's Rokeby Venus painting.

Despite the moral uproar, "The Nude Maja" is a brilliant example of a famous romantic painting. It continues traditional themes of nude portraiture but significantly advances the artistic canon with its unabashed realism.

Who is the woman in Goya’s Nude painting?

There are many theories about the woman's identity in Goya’s paintings.

Legend has it she could be the Duchess of Alba herself. Others tentatively identify the woman as Pepita Tudó. Lending credibility to this theory, Pepita became Manuel Godoy´s lover in 1797, around the time of its creation.

The first written description of The Nude Maja appears around 1800, when it is described as hanging over a door in Godoy’s palace. The report was mentioned again in 1808 when the nude painting appeared alongside its companion, The Clothed Maja.

Further mystery surrounds Goya's painting, as in 1813, both paintings describe portraits of a gypsy woman. This identification appears in an inventory of confiscated property undertaken on behalf of King Ferdinand VII.

This likely theory is that the title of the painting, La Maja Desnuda, reflects her lower socio-economic status. In addition, “Majas” often wore elaborate dresses made from satin fabrics and were also known for their cheeky, irreverent behavior. The costume of the clothed Maja supports this interpretation due to her typical white dress with a pink sash, topped with a gold and black open jacket.

After its initial commissioning, the painting continues its fascinating history. It was displayed by the Academy of Fine Arts from 1808 to 1813, and was included in the Spanish Inquisition during Goya’s trial. In 1836, the painting was returned to the Academy, where it remained until 1901. Goya's famous painting is now part of the permanent collection of the Prado Museum in Madrid.

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