Francisco Goya

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Spanish romantic painter and printmaker

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker. He is considered the most important Spanish artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and is often referred to as both the last of the Old Masters and the first of the modern ones. Goya was a court painter to the Spanish Crown and a chronicler of history through his art.

Early life and education

Goya was born in the village of Fuendetodos, in Aragon, Spain, to José Benito de Goya y Franque and Gracia de Lucientes y Salvador. His family moved to Saragossa when he was a child. He began his artistic studies at the age of 14 under the tutelage of local painter José Luzán. Later, he moved to Madrid to study with Anton Raphael Mengs, a prominent painter in the Spanish court.

Career

Goya's early works include a series of tapestry designs for the Royal Tapestry Factory in Madrid. These designs, known as cartones, depicted scenes of everyday life and were intended to decorate the royal palaces. His reputation grew, and he was appointed as a court painter to Charles IV of Spain in 1786.

Major works

Some of Goya's most famous works include:

• The Third of May 1808 – A powerful depiction of the execution of Spanish rebels by French soldiers during the Peninsular War.
• Saturn Devouring His Son – Part of the Black Paintings series, this work portrays the mythological Titan Saturn consuming one of his children.
• The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters – An etching from the series Los Caprichos, which criticizes the social and political problems of his time.

Later years

In his later years, Goya became increasingly disillusioned with the political and social climate in Spain. He moved to Bordeaux, France, in 1824, where he continued to work until his death in 1828. His later works, including the Black Paintings, reflect his dark and pessimistic view of humanity.

Legacy

Goya's influence on modern art is profound. His work has inspired countless artists, including Édouard Manet, Pablo Picasso, and Francis Bacon. His innovative techniques and unflinching portrayal of human nature have cemented his place as one of the great masters of Western art.

Related pages

• Romanticism
• Old Masters
• Modern art
• Peninsular War
• Charles IV of Spain
• Ferdinand VII of Spain
• Black Paintings
• Los Caprichos