Rose Lapp (Reporter)
GOYA left his place of birth when he was only six.
However, his legacy is still felt in Fuendetodos, the town he left behind.
Years later and long after the famous painter’s death, the Fuendetodos town government renovated and restored his house, turning it into a museum.
Every March 30th, the town, home to 150 people, celebrates the birthday of the Spanish painter.
The Goya museum, named Casa Natal Goya, is a great source of pride for the Fuendetodos, drawing in around 25,000 visitors each year.
The town began construction of a new museum in 2009 to accommodate a growing collection of Goya’s works.
Unfortunately, money has run out.
According to the mayor of the town, Joaquín Gimeno, ‘The ministry, the organization that has helped us the most to realize the museum, told us that there is no funding for museums in construction in 2013.’
Goya is one of the most well known Spanish artists in history. He documented the Spanish Peninsualar War, and inspired such artists as Manet and Picasso.
Just send his stuff here. I’ll keep it safe and yes, visitors will be welcome. Actually, there will be an exhibit of some of Goya’s work north of here—in Santa Fe—in December. I’ll definitely go up for that. I assume we’ll also see some of his work at the Prado when we’re in Spain next week.
Albuquerque, New Mexico, US