Francisco Goya (1746-1828) was a Spanish Romantic painter and printmaker, often recognized as the most crucial Spanish artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born in Fuendetodos, Aragón, Goya’s influence is far-reaching, spanning from the Old Masters of Spain to the modern Expressionists.
Goya began his career in the Rococo style of his contemporaries but evolved to respond to the political turmoil of his time. His work progressed from joyful tapestry designs and official portraits of Spanish nobility to more personal, introspective, and sometimes nightmarish works. A critical turn in his oeuvre came after an undiagnosed illness in 1793 left him deaf, adding a layer of isolation that deeply impacted his work.
Goya’s “Caprichos” series, a set of aquatinted etchings, displays his critical view of society, while his “Disasters of War” series brutally and vividly depicts the Peninsular War’s horrors. His famous paintings, such as “The Third of May 1808,” exemplify his profound social and political critique.
In terms of inspiration, the dramatic chiaroscuro of artists like Caravaggio and the satirical wit of Hieronymus Bosch can be identified in Goya’s works. Similarly, later artists influenced by Goya include Édouard Manet, Pablo Picasso (especially in his “Guernica”), and Francis Bacon, who resonated with Goya’s dark, introspective themes.
In sum, Francisco Goya stands as a pivotal figure in the transition from the Old Masters to modern art, capturing the complexities of the human psyche and the turbulent times in which he lived with unparalleled intensity and emotion.
Useful Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Goya
https://www.wikiart.org/en/francisco-goya
