Francisco Goya

Date of Birth: March 30, 1746

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: April 16, 1828

Biography

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker, widely considered one of the most important artists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born in Fuendetodos, Aragon, Spain, Goya’s works ranged from portraits to historical scenes, religious subjects, and highly imaginative and darkly satirical works. His influence on the art world was profound, bridging the gap between the Old Masters and the modern era. Goya’s career took off when he became a court painter to the Spanish Crown, creating portraits of the Spanish aristocracy and royalty with a critical and often unflattering eye. His later works, especially the “Black Paintings,” reflect a period of personal turmoil and disillusionment with society, marked by haunting and nightmarish imagery. Goya’s work continues to be celebrated for its powerful emotional content and innovative techniques.

5 Interesting Facts about Francisco Goya

1. Goya was appointed as the First Painter to the Spanish King Charles IV in 1799.

2. He suffered from a severe illness in 1793 that left him deaf, which influenced the dark tone of his later works.

3. Goya’s “The Third of May 1808” is one of the most famous anti-war paintings in art history.

4. His series of prints, “Los Caprichos,” were a critical commentary on the social and political problems of his time.

5. Goya is often referred to as “the last Old Master and the first modern artist” due to his unique style that influenced both 19th and 20th-century art.