For years, The Colossus was believed to have been painted between 1818 and 1825 as Goya’s response to the French occupation of Spain after Napoleon’s victory in the Peninsular War.

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes' Colossus has always been one of the Prado's major attractions and a highlight of his series on Spain's war against Napoleon, whose troops invaded in 1808.

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes' Colossus has always been one of the Prado's major attractions and a highlight of his series on Spain's war against Napoleon, whose troops invaded in 1808.

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes' Colossus has always been one of the Prado's major attractions and a highlight of his series on Spain's war against Napoleon, whose troops invaded in 1808.

A painting long attributed to Spanish artist Francisco de Goya, "The Colossus," was probably the work of one of his apprentices, said Spain's Prado museum and art gallery in Madrid.

Those two initials on The Colossus have helped us understand better who Goya is and what his work means. That’s what’s important. You have to keep moving forward with new eyes, without prejudice.

A painting long attributed to Spanish artist Francisco de Goya, "The Colossus," was probably the work of one of his apprentices, said Spain's Prado museum and art gallery in Madrid.

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes’ “Colossus” has always been one of the Prado’s major attractions and a highlight of his series on Spain’s war against Napoleon, whose troops invaded in 1808.

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes's Colossus has always been one of the Prado's major attractions and a highlight of his series on Spain's war against Napoleon, whose troops invaded in 1808.

Doubt, the sequel: Goya and ‘Colossus’ By Christopher Knight Art Critic Feb. 18, 2009 11:22 AM PT ...