TheOldMastersPrintsThe Third of May 1808 by Francisco Goya: meaning, location and key facts
The Third of May 1808 is an oil on canvas by Francisco Goya, painted in 1814. It measures 268 × 347 cm and is held at the Museo del Prado, Madrid.
Key facts
| Artist | Francisco Goya |
|---|---|
| Date | 1814 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 268 × 347 cm (height × width) |
| Museum | Museo del Prado, Madrid |
| Style | Romanticism |
| Data source | Wikidata (Q1091086) · Wikipedia |
What it shows
It recreates the execution of Madrid civilians by Napoleon’s troops in the early hours of 3 May 1808, after the uprising of the previous day. A man in a white shirt flings his arms open before the firing squad, lit by a lantern on the ground, while others wait their turn or lie dead.
The soldiers are seen from behind and without faces, like a machine. Goya painted it in 1814, together with The Second of May 1808, after offering the Regency Council to “perpetuate with the brush the most notable and heroic actions” against Napoleon.
Did you know?
- The palms of the man in white bear marks like stigmata, likening him to Christ.
- It directly inspired Manet’s The Execution of Emperor Maximilian and Picasso’s Massacre in Korea.
- It was damaged in an accident involving the lorry evacuating it during the Spanish Civil War, and was restored.
Where to see the original
The Third of May 1808 is at the Museo del Prado, Madrid. Works are sometimes lent to exhibitions or taken down for restoration, so it is worth checking the museum’s website before you go.
Which print size to choose
The print keeps the proportions of the original: if they differ from the paper, the painting is centred with a white border and never cropped. More details in our size guide.
| A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | shelves, desks and gallery walls |
|---|---|
| A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | bedrooms, hallways and small walls |
| A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) | above a sideboard, chest of drawers or headboard |
Prints are made to order in the Czech Republic and reach the EU in 3 to 8 days, with no customs. Canvases are made in the USA and take about 2 to 3 weeks, with EU VAT included in the price.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is The Third of May 1808?
- The original is held at the Museo del Prado, Madrid.
- How big is The Third of May 1808?
- The original painting measures 268 × 347 cm (height × width).
- Who painted The Third of May 1808 and when?
- It was painted by Francisco Goya in 1814.
- Can I hang a reproduction of The Third of May 1808 at home?
- Yes. The work is in the public domain, so it can be freely reproduced. We offer it as a matte print in A4, A3, A2 (from €18.99) and as a ready-to-hang canvas (from €54.99), with free shipping to the EU.
Updated 21 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Message us through the shop and we will fix it.
