This World-Famous Painting Was Banned For A Shocking Reason

This portrait is so titillating that it was actually seized by the authorities!

Spanish artist Francisco Goya’s La maja desnuda is often considered the sexiest painting of all time. Created between 1797 and 1800, it portrays a very confident female lying naked on a green velvet chaise.

Propped up by two plump cushions, her hands rest behind her head in a suggestive ‘check me out’ type pose. Her gaze towards the viewer is direct and unashamed. This woman is proud of her body and not afraid to show it, which was revolutionary at the time (yay for girl power).

Furthermore, the work is the first known Western artwork to depict a woman’s pubic hair without negative connotations.

It is thought to have been commissioned by Manuel de Godoy to add to his extensive art collection. He actually had a separate secret closet reserved for nude paintings in which the piece was hung.

However, as fate would have it, the painting was discovered by the ecclesiastical authorities in 1808 and seized by officers of the Spanish Inquisition for its extreme imprudence.

The work was considered wildly inappropriate and deemed ‘so indecent and prejudicial to the public good’ that Godoy and his art curator were brought in for questioning and forced to reveal Goya as the artist. Thankfully all parties managed to evade prosecution and the artwork’s destruction by claiming the painting was in the tradition Titian and Velázquez, two respected painters that the church approved of.

The sexy artwork now hangs in the Prado museum in Madrid and is pretty much just as blush-worthy as it was back then.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.