Why did some critics interpret The Family of Charles IV as a satire?

Some critics have interpreted The Family of Charles IV (1800) as a satire primarily due to the artist's use of unflattering naturalism. While the painting features the royal family in opulent, sparkling garments and royal orders, Francisco Goya captured the individual characters with such expressive, penetrating realism that he vividly portrayed the "ugliness and vulgarity" of the principal figures.1234

This approach led some observers to conclude that the work functions as a caricature, disrupting the traditional unity and idealized dignity expected of a formal group portrait. Despite these interpretations, it is widely considered unlikely that Goya intended to create a satire, as doing so would have jeopardized his position as First Court Painter. In fact, the royal family approved of the painting, viewing it as a confirmation of the monarchy's strength during a period of political turmoil.1243