FRANCISCO DE GOYA: BIOGRAFÍA Y OBRAS MÁS IMPORTANTES

Summary

Francisco de Goya, born in 1746, was a Spanish painter and a witness to the French Revolution, the War of Independence, and the absolutism of Fernando VII. He was a precursor of 19th-century art movements, influenced by Velázquez and Italian masters. Goya worked in various media, including frescoes and tapestry cartoons, and became a fashionable portraitist. His etchings, like 'Los Caprichos', criticized social injustices. His later works, including 'The 2nd of May' and 'The 3rd of May', depicted the horrors of war. He went deaf and painted expressive murals at his 'Quinta del Sordo'. Goya exiled himself to France at 78, where he died in 1828.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Francisco de Goya was born in Fuendetodos, Zaragoza, in 1746 and was a painter who witnessed significant historical events.
• 🖌️ He began his artistic education at the School of Drawing in Zaragoza at the age of 13.
• 🏰 Goya worked on the decoration of the Royal Palace in Madrid after moving there.
• 🚫 Despite two unsuccessful attempts, Goya did not enter the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
• 🏆 He traveled to Italy where he studied the works of Guido Reni, Rubens, Paolo Veronese, and Raphael, and was awarded for his painting 'Aníbal'.
• 🖼️ His first frescoes were created in the Basilica del Pilar after returning to Spain.
• 👑 Goya was appointed by Mengs to work at the court as a painter of cartoons for the Royal Tapestry Factory.
• 🌟 He was inspired by Velázquez's work in terms of light, perspective, and naturalistic drawing.
• 🖋️ Goya was a fashionable portraitist for high society and painted notable figures like the Infante Don Luis de Borbón.
• 🎭 He had a passion for bullfighting and painted a series of tauromachy scenes.
• ✍️ Goya was a master of printmaking, creating series from 1778 to 1825, including 'Los Caprichos' which criticized social injustices.
• 🌉 His works 'The Second of May' and 'The Third of May' depicted the Spanish resistance during the War of Independence.
• 🔇 A profound deafness influenced his later work, evident in the expressive murals at his 'Quinta del Sordo'.
• 🏡 At the age of 78, Goya chose exile in France and died in Bordeaux in 1828.

Q & A

When and where was Francisco de Goya born?

Francisco de Goya was born in Fuendetodos, Zaragoza, in 1746.

What significant historical events did Goya witness?

Goya was a witness to the French Revolution, the War of Independence, and the absolutism of Fernando VII.

Where did Goya begin his artistic training?

Goya began his artistic training at the age of 13 at the School of Drawing in Zaragoza.

Why did Goya travel to Italy?

Goya traveled to Italy to study the works of artists like Guido Reni, Rubens, Paolo Veronese, and Raphael, and he was awarded for his painting 'Aníbal en las alturas de Italia'.

What was Goya's first commission involving frescoes?

Goya's first commission involving frescoes was for one of the cupolas of the Basilica del Pilar.

Who called Goya to work at the court, and what was his role?

Goya was called by Mengs to work at the court as a painter of cartoons for the Royal Tapestry Factory.

Which work by Goya allowed him to finally enter the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando?

Goya's painting 'Cristo crucificado' allowed him to enter the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando.

What was Goya's role in high society?

Goya became a fashionable portraitist for high society, painting portraits of figures such as the Infante Don Luis de Borbón, Jovellanos, Floridablanca, and the Dukes of Osuna.

What was the subject matter of Goya's series of prints?

The subject matter of Goya's series of prints was the social customs and types of Spanish life, with themes like 'La Niña de los Zapatos', 'El Albanil Herido', or 'Baile a orillas del Manzanares'.

What is the significance of Goya's series 'Los Caprichos'?

Goya's series 'Los Caprichos' was a dissemination of the ideology of the Enlightenment and a social critique of the injustices of the time.

Which of Goya's works are considered reflections of the War of Independence?

Two of Goya's works that reflect the War of Independence are 'El 2 de mayo o La lucha con los mamelucos' and 'El 3 de mayo' where he shows the execution of Spaniards by French soldiers.

Why did Goya move to France and where did he die?

Goya decided to exile himself to France at the age of 78, where many of his friends were also, and he died in Bordeaux in 1828.