Ferdinand VII by Goya at the Plaza Nuestra Señora del Pilar

Plaza Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Zaragoza, Spain

Aragon in Spain is famous for producing famous people.  Among them is one of my favorite artists, Francisco Goya.  Arguably, he is considered the father of modern arts.  

The image is a lamp post surrounded by the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, the principal cathedral of Zaragoza.  The lamp post is not important, and has nothing to do with the Zaragoza’s history.  What is important is what is on it :  a replica of Goya’s painting of Fernando VII, who Goya never respected.  He painted portraits of the king for many organizations but never for the king himself.  To a trained eye, Goya made the king look like a pompous fool with his pork loin belly protruding at the center. The The king's mop top haircut style became the inspiration for Moe of the Three Stooges.  His hair is also ashen, which made him look weak and cuckold.  

Ferdinand restored the Inquisition and believed in the Divine Right of his kingship.  This caused Goya great anxiety to a point of nervous breakdown.