“San Antonio de la Florida”, the Madrid’s Sistine Chapel

The Hermita de San Antonio de la Florida is a small chapel located in Madrid, Spain. It was built in the late 18th century and is dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. The chapel is best known for its stunning frescoes, which were painted by Francisco de Goya.

The frescoes depict scenes from the life of Saint Anthony and are considered to be some of Goya’s finest works. They were completed in 1798 and are notable for their vivid colors and dramatic compositions. The frescoes cover the entire interior of the chapel and are considered to be one of the most important examples of Spanish neoclassical art.

Most of the paintings are Goya’s masterpieces, this one occupy the entire dome of 6 meters in diameter with its walls, and the half dome of the main altar with the symbol of the Holy Trinity and painted in the spatial conception inherited from Tiepolo.

It was made in six months, with a distribution of human figures on a fictitious railing, which gives it a real and three-dimensional aspect with large doses of realism and an altar with pieces that were later painted by Jacinto Gómez Pastor. The work is completed with the works “La Adoración” represented in the apse of the vault and the admired “Milagro de San Antonio de Padua”.

The Hermita de San Antonio de la Florida is open to visitors and is a popular destination for tourists visiting Madrid. It is located in the neighborhood of La Florida and is easily accessible by public transportation.

Tiepolo and Goya

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770) was an Italian painter known for his highly decorative and theatrical style. He was a prolific artist who worked in a variety of genres, including religious, mythological, and historical subjects.

Although Tiepolo and Goya were both painters, they belonged to different artistic periods and their styles differed greatly. Tiepolo was a prominent figure in the Rococo movement, which emphasized decorative art and frivolity, while Goya was a key figure in the Romantic movement, which focused on emotion, individualism, and realism.

However, it is possible that Goya was influenced by Tiepolo’s work, particularly in terms of his use of light and color. Goya’s early works, such as his frescoes in the Church of San Francisco el Grande in Madrid, show a clear Rococo influence, with their delicate pastel colors and playful figures. It is possible that Goya was inspired by Tiepolo’s use of light and color in his own frescoes and paintings.

Additionally, Goya’s later works, particularly his “Black Paintings,” show a darker and more pessimistic vision of the world, which is in stark contrast to the lighthearted and decorative style of Tiepolo. This may be seen as a rejection of the Rococo style and an embrace of the more emotional and individualistic style of the Romantic movement.

Francisco de Goya

Francisco de Goya (1746-1828) was a Spanish painter and printmaker considered one of the most important artists in the history of Western art. He is known for his vivid and haunting portrayals of war, violence, and social injustice, as well as his depictions of the aristocracy and everyday life in Spain.

Goya began his career as a court painter, working for the Spanish royal family. He quickly gained a reputation for his skill as a portraitist and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects’ personalities. He also became known for his religious works, such as his altarpiece for the Church of San Francisco el Grande in Madrid.

In his later years, Goya’s work became increasingly dark and pessimistic, reflecting his disillusionment with the world around him. He produced a series of etchings and aquatints known as “The Disasters of War,” which depicted the horrors of the Napoleonic Wars and their impact on Spanish society. He also created a series of paintings known as the “Black Paintings,” which are considered some of the most powerful and haunting images in the history of art.

Goya’s work had a significant influence on later generations of artists, particularly the Impressionists and Expressionists. His innovative use of color and light, as well as his ability to capture the emotional essence of his subjects, continue to inspire and captivate audiences today.

Goya’s Tomb

The artist was buried in this church in 1919. In the tomb the skull of the body is missing, supposedly lost in his first burial in Bordeaux, the city where he died. Next to him is buried his friend Martin de Goicoechea. Both were buried together to avoid errors in the identification of the mortal remains.

Visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 09:30 – 20:00.

Saturdays and Sundays: 10:00 – 14:00.
Mondays and holidays: Closed.
Price: Free
Address: Paseo de San Antonio de la Florida, 5, Madrid

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