The Third of May 1808
Francisco Goya · 1814
Why it's great
A firing squad aims at a man in a white shirt who raises his arms, while others wait their turn in the dark. Goya painted this to remember Spanish citizens who were executed after standing up to Napoleon's army. He used a glowing lantern and a faceless line of soldiers to make the cruelty of war feel real. It's considered one of the first truly modern anti-war paintings.
🏛️ Part of history
Napoleon & the Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815) — Goya's answer to Napoleon's army: a firing squad in Madrid executes Spanish citizens.
Where to see it
📍 Museo del PradoMadrid, Spain
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Francisco Goya was born in a small village in Spain and became the court painter to the Spanish kings in Madrid. After an illness left him deaf in his forties, his art grew darker and more personal. He witnessed war and cruelty and made powerful pictures about it. He spent his last years in Bordeaux, France, and is seen as a bridge between old masters and modern art.
