Describe the characteristics of the Religious Themes in Secular Context in this artwork's Interpretations.
The inscription found attached to Self-Portrait with Dr. Arrieta leads many scholars to liken the work to ex-votos typically found in churches during the period, depicting religious scenes as a demonstration of gratitude for divine intervention. What makes Goya's work distinct from these votive offerings is the secular context in which he places the scene. The painting directs its gratitude towards the physician rather than towards the church, and attributes his recovery to works of science rather than works of divinity. Brown and Galassi suggest that the framing of the portrait in such a way may have been done with the intention of portraying Dr. Arrieta as a saintly figure for his assistance in Goya's escape from death.
Other references to Christianity have also been observed by scholars, such as the portrait's apparent theme of communion, which was often found to be presented in a secular context amongst Spanish artists at the time. This theme is read through Arrieta's action of raising the cup to Goya's lips, reminiscent of the sacramental Blood of Christ offered at Christian communion ceremonies. Additionally, the theme of Gethsemane, where Christ appears with the cup-bearing angel, is also observed. In the year prior to his painting of Self-Portrait with Dr. Arrieta, Goya completed The Last Communion of San Jose de Calasanz (see right) and Agony in the Garden (see left), each of which deal with these exact religious themes.Other links have been made between the portrait and traditional religious images such as the Pieta and religious ideas like Ars moriendi. Across the different religious allusions, scholars agree that the themes are all presented in a distinctly secular way within the portrait.
Blood of Christ Gethsemane left ex-voto Pieta Ars moriendi