Stunning Frescoes in This Madrid Church Received a Facelift—But the Spanish Artist Buried Beneath Them Is Still Missing His Head
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A year-long renovation of the San Antonio de la Florida church in Madrid has revitalized the frescoes painted by Francisco Goya in 1798. The restoration has enhanced the visibility of the artwork, allowing visitors to appreciate the vibrant colors of Goya's depiction of Saint Anthony of Padua. Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding Goya's missing skull continues to intrigue, with various theories about its disappearance after his burial in the church.
- ▪The frescoes were painted by Francisco Goya and depict a miracle performed by Saint Anthony of Padua.
- ▪The church underwent a year-long renovation to restore the artwork and improve lighting.
- ▪Goya's skull went missing after his body was repatriated to Spain and buried in the church.
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Stunning Frescoes in This Madrid Church Received a Facelift—But the Spanish Artist Buried Beneath Them Is Still Missing His Head Goya’s frescoes are given new life in a church in Spain that also serves as the final resting place for most of the artist’s body. The mystery of his missing skull has inspired poems and artworks Christian Thorsberg | Daily Correspondent May 18, 2026 4:10 p.m. ShareCopy linkEmailSMSFacebookXRedditLinkedInBlueskyPrintAdd as preferred source The fresco, painted by Francisco Goya in 1798, depicts Saint Anthony of Padua performing a miracle. Public domain via Wikimedia Commons A year-long renovation in Madrid’s San Antonio de la Florida church is nearly complete.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Smithsonian Magazine.
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