ABOUT GOYA

Francisco Goya (1746-1828) was a Spanish painter and printmaker who is considered one of the most important artists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His work is known for its powerful imagery and its unflinching portrayal of the human condition, both its light and its dark sides.

​

Goya's father was a gilder, and Goya probably began learning about art from his father at a young age. He also attended a local school where he met his lifelong friend, the painter Martín Zapater. At the age of 14, Goya began his artistic training under the painter José Luzán y Martínez.

Goya was a talented artist from a young age, and he quickly rose to prominence in the Spanish art world. In 1773, he married Josefa Bayeu, the sister of one of his fellow painters. This marriage gave Goya access to the influential Bayeu family, and it helped to launch his career.

​

Goya's work was also influenced by the political and social upheavals of his time. He witnessed the Spanish Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic Wars. These events had a profound impact on Goya's art, and he used his paintings and etchings to document and comment on the world around him.

​

Goya's personality exhibited a sense of independence and a willingness to challenge conventional norms. He was known for his sharp wit, and his ability to be both charming and acerbic. His works often conveyed a deep sense of human emotion, from the darkness of his "Black Paintings" to the satire of his "Caprichos" series.

 

As he grew older, Goya's personality seemed to reflect a certain disillusionment with society, particularly after experiencing the horrors of war and illness. This is evident in his later works, which became increasingly introspective and somber.