Francisco Jose de Goya (1740-1825) and Peter Booth (1940- ) are two artists who produced different artwork, although the subject matter of their work is quite similar. Goya and Booth created their artwork in different historical and cultural context. Goya, being born and raised in Spain lived through many different wars such as the Spanish Inquisition, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution and also Napoleons Invasion. Like Goya, Booth was also affected by war, but in a different way. Goya grew up in a poverty stricken environment, and later in life suffered a serious illness which left him deaf and having a mental breakdown. Goya always incorporated his inner feelings into his work. As opposed to Booth who grew up in Sheffield, a London town that was heavily bombed during the war. His childhood was spent among bombed remains in WWII. Similar to Goya, Booth was also poverty stricken, however, Booth experienced war and destruction through the media and footage of the Vietnam War in the 1970’s and the Bosnian War in the 1990’s. Booth was a victim of a violent attack which traumatised him, and his trauma was visible through his distinctive artwork, showing a catastrophic side of life.
Both Goya and Booth come from different historical and cultural context: however, both artists communicate similar ideas about society and its nature. As their artwork developed, it grew into distinctive styles. Goya’s distinctive style inspired Booth to create the work he has over the past years. Each artist’s emotional suffering is boldly shown through their artwork, showing their inner turmoil and their interpretations of mankind and the universe. Both artists use metaphors and symbolism to represent ideas, feelings and concerns about the world they live in. Goya’s The Mad House (1812-15, oil on canvas), Saturn Devouring on of his Children (1821-23, oil on canvas) and Booths Painting 1981, Devil and Laughing Man (1981, oil on canvas) and Painting 1982 (1982, oil on canvas) are...