Why did goya paint Carlos IV and his family?

Francisco Goya painted "Carlos IV and His Family" to capture the royal family of Spain in a moment of both grandeur and realism. The portrait serves as a political statement, reflecting Goya's complex relationship with the monarchy, as he was both a court painter and a critic of the royal family’s shortcomings. By portraying the family with a sense of intimacy and imperfection, Goya humanizes the monarchy while also highlighting the contrasts between their power and the societal issues of the time. The painting ultimately serves as a commentary on the nature of authority and the perception of the royal image.