Francisco Goya

At age 14, Goya studied under José Luzán and later with Anton Raphael Mengs in Madrid. However, he clashed with Mengs and was twice denied entry to the Royal Academy, marking a difficult start to his career.¹

His brother-in-law, Francisco Bayeu, played a key role in Goya's early career; his recommendation for the Royal Tapestry Factory was a major stepping stone to becoming a court painter.¹

Appointed as a court painter in 1786, Goya's early career was marked by portraits of the aristocracy and Rococo-style tapestry cartoons for royal palaces, achieving success in high society.¹

In 1793, a severe illness left Goya completely deaf. This tragedy transformed his style from bright colors to dark, pessimistic expressions reflecting inner darkness and social irony.¹

In 1799, he became the Prime Court Painter. Commissioned by Godoy, his 'La maja desnuda' shocked art history as a daring nude that challenged the taboos of the time.¹

Heavily influenced by Velázquez, as seen in 'Charles IV and His Family' (1800), Goya opened the door to modern painting by adding unique psychological depth to traditional techniques.¹

Witnessing the horrors of the Peninsular War, Goya captured the shock in works like 'The Third of May 1808,' vividly denouncing the madness of war and the suffering of the people.¹

The 'Black Paintings' series, painted directly onto the walls of his home 'Quinta del Sordo,' represents the peak of his despair, using oil on plaster to depict primal human fears.¹

Exiling himself to Bordeaux at 78 to escape political turmoil, Goya remained creative despite paralysis, experimenting with lithography until his death at age 82.¹