Jackie Mallon: You’ve said you’re fascinated by Goya, and this passion comes through clearly in your novel, The Painter's Women, but where exactly did your interest originate? Fionnuala Brennan: I studied Art History at Trinity College Dublin, so I was of course aware of the importance of Goya in European art history. Years after I … Continue reading “The work of the informed imagination”. Jackie Mallon interviews Fionnuala Brennan
Fionnuala Brennan: Writing about Goya
I have long been fascinated by the charismatic artist Francisco de Goya. The seeds of my fascination with this Spanish painter were sown during my studies in History of Art in Trinity College, Dublin. The firework that sent me into orbit to write the novel, The Painter’s Women: Goya in Light and Shade, was a … Continue reading Fionnuala Brennan: Writing about Goya
Excerpt from “The Painter’s Women”
Chapter 3. Leocadia, Bordeaux, 24 April 1828 "So you see, Isabel, it is not true that Francisco enticed me away from Isidoro, or that we were already lovers while Doña Josefa was dying, or that the affair hastened her death. My marriage was over by the time I came to work for Francisco, and his … Continue reading Excerpt from “The Painter’s Women”
Excerpt from THE PAINTER’S WOMEN by Fionnuala Brennan
The Duchess of Alba Journal extract San Lúcar, March 1797 There he is, the arrogant fellow standing in front of me holding his palette like a shield, wielding his brush like a dagger. Totally ignoring my displeasure. Who on earth does he think he is? 'Excellencia, Maria del Pilar Teresa Cayetana de Silva … Continue reading Excerpt from THE PAINTER’S WOMEN by Fionnuala Brennan
