Francisco Goya

Francisco Goya was born in 1746 in Fuendetodos, Spain, and became one of the most influential artists in European art history. He began his career producing decorative works and royal portraits, eventually becoming court painter to the Spanish crown. Goya’s early paintings reflect elegance and optimism, while his later works grow darker and more introspective. His art captures the tensions of a society shaped by war, superstition, and political upheaval.

Goya worked across many media, including painting, printmaking, and drawing. His graphic series explore human cruelty, fear, and irrationality with striking honesty. After surviving severe illness that left him deaf, his vision became increasingly personal and unsettling. In his final years, he lived in voluntary exile in France. Goya died in 1828. His work bridges the old masters and modern art, influencing generations of artists who followed.