What message is Goya trying to send in The Family of Carlos Iv?

Answer 1

Charles IV of Spain and His Family is an oil on canvas painting by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya, completed between 1800-1801. The work was modeled on Velázquez's Las Meninas when setting the royal subjects in a naturalistic, and plausible setting.
As in Las Meninas, the royal family in Goya's work are apparently paying a visit to the artist's studio, while the artist himself can be seen to the left looking outwards towards the viewer. In both the artists is shown working on a canvas, of which only the rear is visible. However, the atmospheric and warm perspective of the palace interior of Velázquez's work is replaced in the Goya by a sense of, in the words of Gassier, "imminent suffocation" as the royal family are presented by Goya on a "stage facing the public, while in the shadow of the wings the painter, with a grim smile, points and says: 'Look at them and judge for yourself!'"
--------------------------------------...

In preparing for this painting Goya did portrait studies of the members of the family which were highly approved of by the sitters, which casts doubt on the idea that his intention was to be critical or judgemental.
His realism allows the viewer to judge with the hindsight of history but there is no evidence that he wished to be satirical, he was the Official Court painter at the the time and valued his position and the income it brought.

Taylor:)