The Naked Maja is a 1958 Italian-American historical film, a coproduction produced by S.G.C., Titanus, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and United Artists. The story recounts the romance between the painter Francisco Goya and the Duchess of Alba. The film was directed by Henry Koster and produced by Silvio Clementelli and Goffredo Lombardo. Its screenplay was written by Norman Corwin, Giorgio Prosperi and Albert Lewin based on a story by Oscar Saul and Talbot Jennings. The musical score was conducted by Angelo Lavagnino and the cinematographer was Giuseppe Rotunno.
The film stars Ava Gardner and Anthony Franciosa with Amedeo Nazzari, Gino Cervi, Lea Padovani, Massimo Serato and a largely Italian cast.
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Plot
In 18th century Madrid, during the Spanish Inquisition, Francisco de Goya meets Maria Teresa de Cayetana, Duchess of Alba inside an inn after he sketches an image of her. To win Maria's affection, Goya fights a rival and is slashed during a fight. As his wounds are treated, Maria acknowledges Goya's paintings and invites him to a concert at her home the next evening. She is then handed Goya's sketch and asks him to paint a portrait some day.
For several days, during a royal art commission, Goya paints frescoes on the Basilica's domed ceiling. As he finishes, Prime Minister Manuel Godoy escorts King Carlos IV, Queen Maria Luisa, and their court to inspect Goya's frescoes. Although Maria Luisa is insulted that Goya included peasants, Carlos is impressed and appoints Goya as the official court painter.
Inside the palace, Carlos instructs Goya to paint a portrait of the royal family. After several weeks pass, Maria attends an annual festival with peasants who demonstrate against Godoy's government despite the advice of her official Rodrigo Sanchez and the Queen's wishes. Meanwhile, as Carlos observes Goya's progress, Delgado, the Minister of Justice, informs the king about Godoy's corruption. Unconcerned with Godoy, Carlos dismisses the minister. Goya however pleads with Carlos to intervene and condemn the injustice. Carlos advises Goya to keep to his painting.
On his way to the inn, Maria greets Goya, who harshly criticizes her of hypocrisy. The royal army disperses the crowd, and Goya takes Maria to the inn for safety. There, she and Goya dance and acknowledge their mutual attraction. In love with Maria, Goya decides to paint her portrait and takes Maria to his studio where they embrace each other.
When Maria returns home, she finds Godoy and his soldiers have intruded. Godoy explains she has been exiled for one year to a countryside villa as punishment. The next day, Goya's friend Juanito tells him that Maria has abruptly left. Enraged, Goya finds the exiled Maria in the villa and decides to stay with her while he continues to paint.
During her exile, Godoy visits Maria and asks her to rejoin the royal family in resisting Napoleon's invasion of Spain. He also demands Goya returns to Madrid in three days, or face the inquisition as Godoy has found evidence to use against him. To spare his life, Maria plays on Goya's jealousy and embraces Rodrigo Sanchez. Upset, Goya returns to Madrid and falls ill.
As Goya recovers, he makes satirizing sketches of Maria and Spanish society, which become known as "The Caprices." At his studio, Inquisition soldiers confiscate the Caprices for being morally offensive and arrest Goya. During his trial, Goya defends his paintings and refuses to identify Maria as the model for the nude portrait. As the tribunal prepares to declare him guilty, Goya is released due to a court petition signed by Godoy.
Spurred by Maria's rejection, Godoy orders her to be poisoned. Meanwhile, Carlos is summoned to France and later abdicates the throne, in which Napoleon installs his elder brother Joseph Bonaparte as king. As Maria falls ill, the Spanish people fight against the French occupation, while a mob attacks Godoy. Goya arrives at Maria's house, where she encourages him to continue painting for Spain. She also asks for her portrait, and he prepares to retrieve it, Maria collapses on the floor and dies. Goya screams in anguish.
Cast
Ava Gardner as Maria Teresa de Cayetana, Duchess of Alba
Anthony Franciosa as Francisco Goya
Amedeo Nazzari as Manuel Godoy
Gino Cervi as King Carlos IV
Lea Padovani as Queen Maria Luisa
Massimo Serato as Rodrigo Sanchez
Renzo Cesana as Bayeu
Carlo Giustini as José
Carlo Rizzo as Juanito
Reception
According to MGM records, the film earned $1 million at the box office outside the U.S. and Canada, resulting in a loss to the studio of $513,000.
The film earned $450,000 in Italy.