Francisco Goya

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes was born on March 30, 1746, in the village of Fuendetodos in the region of Aragon, Spain. He was the fourth of six children in a family of modest means. His father, José Benito de Goya y Franque, was a gilder. At the age of 14, Goya began studying under the painter José Luzán.

In 1771, Goya traveled to Italy to further his artistic education, visiting many cities and studying the works of great masters of the past. This experience had a profound impact on his development as an artist. He returned to Spain the same year, already having shown great promise and developed his characteristic style.

On May 7, 1780, Goya was elected a member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. This was a significant recognition of his talent and provided him the opportunity to engage with other leading artists of his time, as well as access influential patrons and commissions that would propel his career forward.

Goya was appointed as the painter to King Charles IV of Spain on July 17, 1789. This prestigious position cemented his status as one of the leading artists of his time, allowing him to create portraits of the royal family and nobility, further showcasing his ability to capture the complexities of human emotion and character through art.

In 1792, Goya suffered a severe illness that left him completely deaf. This was a crucial turning point in his life and career, profoundly influencing his later works, which took on a more somber and introspective tone. His art began to reflect his inner turmoil and the social and political events of the time.

On February 6, 1799, Goya published 'Los Caprichos,' a series of 80 aquatint prints. These works critiqued the social and political issues of his time, reflecting his disillusionment with the society. The series is famous for its dark themes and sophisticated artistic techniques, emphasizing Goya's unique vision and skill.

The Peninsular War, beginning in 1808, had a profound effect on Francisco Goya, influencing some of his most famous works. The war saw Napoleon's army occupy Spain, leading to a brutal and ferocious conflict. Goya later depicted the horrors he witnessed through a series of drawings and prints that captured the harsh realities of war.

Goya completed one of his most famous paintings, 'The Third of May 1808,' in 1814. This iconic work memorializes the Spanish resistance to Napoleon's armies during the occupation of 1808 and highlights Goya's powerful use of imagery to evoke emotions. The painting remains one of the most compelling portrayals of the human cost of war.

In 1824, Francisco Goya went into a self-imposed exile, settling in Bordeaux, France. This happened against the backdrop of the repressive political climate in Spain following the restoration of Ferdinand VII. While in Bordeaux, Goya continued to paint and etch, maintaining his creative spirit despite the challenges of old age and exile.

Francisco Goya died on April 16, 1828, in Bordeaux, France. Goya's influence extended far beyond his death, as he is often regarded as the last of the Old Masters and the first of the moderns. His work, spanning both the dramatic and the satirical, laid the groundwork for later developments in art and inspired countless artists.