X-rays reveal hidden painting behind 19th century masterpiece
The 1823 painting Portrait of Don Ramón Satué is considered one
of Francisco Goya's finest achievements, but it might actually
have been the artist's last-ditch effort to avoid political hot
water. X-ray analysis reveals this painting once depicted
someone far more controversial than a local judge.  On the left,
you can see the Portrait of Don Ramón Satué as we've known it
for the last 188 years. The subject was a judge of the Madrid
supreme court and a close friend of Goya's. It's been speculated
that Don Ramón likely didn't pay Goya for the portrait, and
instead the painting was done out of friendship. Now it appears
like we had the situation reversed - it was Don Ramón who was
doing the favor here, not Goya.  One of the preeminent romantic
painters of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Francisco
Goya served as court painter for the Spanish government - which
left him in a tricky position when the monarchy was conquered
and overthrown by Na