Conclusion
Goya’s use of decapitation in Cannibals Contemplating Human Remains, the black paintings of Saturn and Judith, and his miniature Judith, shows his feelings about the beheading of a monarch. Louis XVI’s decapitation allowed for the takeover of “cannibals” in France. Goya’s use of cannibals to represent the Directory and the “liberals” of the French Revolution show that he felt Louis XVI’s beheading was not beneficial. Later in Spain with the rule of Fernando VII, Goya’s paintings show the advantage of decapitation of a monarch. Goya’s images of Saturn and Judith show that the decapitation of Fernando VII would bring virtue back to Spain. His ivory miniature produced after his exile speaks to the quick action that Goya felt should be taken against Fernando VII. Using decapitation in his work, Goya depicted not only events in the past but pushed for future action.