Francisco Goya, was a Spanish painter and printmaker. He has been regarded both as the last of the Old Masters and as the first of the moderns. The subversive and subjective element in his art, as well as his bold handling of paint, provided a model for the work of later generations of artists, notably Manet and Picasso.
Considered to be "the Father of Modern Art", Goya began his painting career just after the late Baroque period. In expressing his thoughts and feelings frankly, as he did, he became the pioneer of new artistic tendencies which were to come to fruition in the 19th century. Two trends dominated in his art and together they represented the reaction against previous conceptions of art and the desire for a new form of expression.
In order to understand the magnitude of Goya's art, and to appreciate the principles which governed his development and tremendous versatility, it is essential to realise that his work extended over a period of more than 60 years, for he continued to draw and paint until his 82nd year. His different attitudes towards life is evident in his work; in his youth he accepted the world as it was, quite happily. In his adult years, he began to criticise the world, and in his old age, he became embittered and disillusioned with people and society.
Furthermore, the world changed completely during his lifetime. The society, in which he had achieved a great success disappeared during the Napoleonic war. Long before the end of the 18th century Goya had already turned towards his new ideals and expressed them in his graphic art and in his paintings.
Interesting links:
Considered to be "the Father of Modern Art", Goya began his painting career just after the late Baroque period. In expressing his thoughts and feelings frankly, as he did, he became the pioneer of new artistic tendencies which were to come to fruition in the 19th century. Two trends dominated in his art and together they represented the reaction against previous conceptions of art and the desire for a new form of expression.
In order to understand the magnitude of Goya's art, and to appreciate the principles which governed his development and tremendous versatility, it is essential to realise that his work extended over a period of more than 60 years, for he continued to draw and paint until his 82nd year. His different attitudes towards life is evident in his work; in his youth he accepted the world as it was, quite happily. In his adult years, he began to criticise the world, and in his old age, he became embittered and disillusioned with people and society.
Furthermore, the world changed completely during his lifetime. The society, in which he had achieved a great success disappeared during the Napoleonic war. Long before the end of the 18th century Goya had already turned towards his new ideals and expressed them in his graphic art and in his paintings.
Interesting links:
- Article in 'World & Magazine'
- Timeline of life of Goya
- Info on Black Paintings
- Excerpt from Men of Art, by Thomas Craven
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