Francisco Goya

Francisco Goya Self Portrait (1795) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes was born in Fuendetodos, later moving to Saragossa with his parents and aged fourteen entered into an apprenticeship with the painter Jose Luzan. Living in enlightened times Goya was able to gain his artistic maturity during the reign of the sympathetic monarch Charles III. He made two attempts to study at the Spanish Royal Academy but was rejected on two occasions. He was trained during his early years in Rococco and Baroque styles which is evident in early works. Goya joined the studio of Brothers Ramon and Francisco Bayeu y Subias where he fell in love and married the brothers’ sister Josefa.
Visiting Italy, Goya won a 2nd prize in a painting competition in Parma and was influenced by Neo Classicism and Classicism. When he returned to Spain, he produced some remarkable frescoes and religious works continuing his studies with Francesco Bayeu.

The Blind Guitarist [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Influenced by Velazquez, Goya began to paint commissions for Royal favourites which expanded his popularity through the reign of two monarchs (Carlos III and Carlos IV). With an ever growing circle of patrons, Goya incorporated different styles into his work usually with Rococco dominating.

Countess of Altamira and her Daughter [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
In 1792 Goya lost his hearing and became deaf, possibly because of the lead contained in the pigments he used. This hearing loss caused Goya to withdraw for five years to lead an introspective life. His illness and the changing times, in ways, contributed to the maturity of his later works.

La Maja Desnuda [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

La Maja Vestida [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Detail of Capricho no55 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The early 1800’s saw the production of works depicting scenes from the Peninsula War before Goya’s wife died in 1812. The ascension of King Ferdinand VII to the throne was not without issues as relations between the new King and the painter are not good. By 1814 Goya was living with his cousin Rosario Weiss. Here he fell in love with her daughter Dona Leocadia. The ensuing years saw Goya suffering another serious illness.

The Milk Maid of Bordeaux [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Francisco Goya eventually left Spain and set off for Paris and Bordeaux eventually settling in Bordeaux. He spent his time working on new portrait commissions and used bull fighting as his subject for a series of paintings. His final painting was “The Milkmaid of Bordeaux”. He returned to Spain for a short time before his death in Bordeaux in 1828.