On the 2nd May 1808 the the people of Madrid rebelled against their French occupiers. Imediately Napoleon's French North African Cavalry ("the Mamelukes") under the leadership of Murat marched to quash the rebellion fighting the rebels in the Puerto del Sol on the 2nd of May. The painting above "2nd of May 1808" depicts the fighting between the two sides on the streets of Madrid.
"The 3rd of May 1808" also known as "The execution of the rebels", illustrates the French reprisals.
Before dawn the next day hundreds of Spaniards were rounded up, marched to the hills outside of Madrid and shot. This was done to teach the rebellious civilians a lesson and to show them that further insurrections would not be tolerated.
Six years later Goya dipicted both scenes in his painting the 2nd & 3rd of May 1808.
The symbols of the 3rd of may can be further explored by following the link below.
Before dawn the next day hundreds of Spaniards were rounded up, marched to the hills outside of Madrid and shot. This was done to teach the rebellious civilians a lesson and to show them that further insurrections would not be tolerated.
Six years later Goya dipicted both scenes in his painting the 2nd & 3rd of May 1808.
The symbols of the 3rd of may can be further explored by following the link below.
Thinglink to 3rd May 1808 https://www.thinglink.com/scene/409273665146847232#tlsite