Francisco de Goya

Hello, Artenauta! Among the great geniuses of romantic painting, we talk about one of the most famous and admired artists of all times: Francisco de Goya.

Francisco de Goya in 10 tips

1. Francisco de Goya y Lucientes, was born in Fuendetodos (Zaragoza), on March 30, 1746.
2. He is considered one of the most relevant Spanish painters, as well as one of the great masters of painting worldwide.
3. His style, characterized by his personal and original touch, evolved from rococo to pre-romanticism, passing through neoclassicism.
4. There are three major moments that will have a decisive influence on his artistic career:
   1. His appointment as chamber painter, in 1789, of Charles IV.
   2. His first personal crisis, in 1792, was due to the deafness he developed as a result of a hearing disease contracted during his youth. This crisis leads him to introspection.
   3. In 1812, the War of Independence, which plunged the artist into a deep depression, suffering from fears and nightmares.
5. His oeuvre includes around 500 oil and mural paintings, as well as some 300 lithographs and etchings and hundreds of drawings.
6. Two of his greatest works, Los fusilamientos del tres de mayo and La carga de los mamelucos en la Puerta del Sol, were painted when he was over sixty-eight years old.
7. La maja desnuda, one of his most famous works, was commissioned by Godoy. When the latter fell into disgrace, his property was confiscated and Goya had to give explanations before the Holy Inquisition for the content of the painting.
8. The creation of La maja vestida was later than that of La maja desnuda; the former was created before 1800, while the latter is considered to have been painted between 1802 and 1805.
9. His work has had a strong influence on earlier artistic movements such as Impressionism, Expressionism and Surrealism.
10. Died in Bordeaux (France) on April 16, 1828.

We hope this post has been interesting and has helped you to learn new curious aspects about Goya and, as always, we invite you to continue researching to learn more about his life and work.

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