He lived between 1746 and 1828
He was a court painter during the reigns of Charles IV, Joseph I and Francisco VII.
He was a court painter during the reigns of Charles IV, Joseph I and Francisco VII.
Goya was the most significant Spanish artist of his time,
His style is difficult to classify because of:
- His professional career as a court painter
- The historical context of the Spanish War of Independence
- His deafness
He also support enlightenment ideas, and he moved to Bordeaux (France) because of Ferdinand VII´s absolutism.
His works are faithful reproduction of the events Spain experienced during de War of Independence
THE DEVELOPMENT OF GOYA´S WORK
1771-1808: COURT PAINTER
Cartoons for tapestries: The grape harvest
Portraits of the royal family and nobility: The family of Charles IV
Religious paintings: Frescoes in The Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida, in Madrid
Prints from etchings: The caprice number 43 (of a group of 80 paintings)
The characteristics and techniques of this period in his paintings are:
- Paintings of local festivals; use of pastel colours
- Depiction of people´s psycological characteristics; attention to the detail of clothing and fabric
- Representation of the miracles of St Anthony; sense of depth
- Criticism of Spanish customs
1808-1820: WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
Historical themes: The 2nd of May 1808 and the 3rd of May 1808
Prints from engravings: The disasters of war
The characteristics and techniques of this period in his paintings are:
- Protests against the horrors of the war; variety of different poses with lots of actions
- Criticism of the Ancien Régime and war; depictions of bullfighting themes
1820-1828: EXILE IN FRANCE
Black paintings: Two old men eating soup
Burgundy paintings: The milkmaid of Bordeaux
The characteristics and techniques of this period in his paintings are:
- Reflections on old age and death; dark colours and night scenes
- Depictions of daily life; loose brush-strokes and less-defined figures
