Francisco de Goya was a famous Spanish artist who produced his paintings in the 18th and 19th century. This article covers his works and his style which left a lasting mark on the art world and it’s development from renaissance to contemporary movements. Many love to buy Goya prints because of the qualities of the artist’s original paintings.
The Fuendetodos-borm artist produced most notable works such as The Parasol, La maja desnuda, La maja vestida, The Second of May 1808, The Third of May 1808 and The family of Charles IV of Spain.
Goya actually began his art career through an apprenticeship at the age of 14, with the artist Jose Luzan. He later went onto study art in Madrid but took time to develop his style and receive acceptance. Goya went onto study in Rome and develop an understanding of European art styles. It was then that his characteristic use of tonalities began to appear. It is this that helped him to become recognised and for what he is most respected today.
Goya was now to involve himself in high levels of Spanish society where he built contacts and powerful friends who enjoyed his art. With this came commissions and regular work. One such person was Charles III. Others included Pedro Téllez-Girón, 9th Duke of Osuna and his wife María Josefa Pimentel, 12th Countess-Duchess of Benavente, María del Pilar de Silva, 13th Duchess of Alba, and her husband José María Álvarez de Toledo, 15th Duke of Medina Sidonia, and María Ana de Pontejos y Sandoval, Marchioness of Pontejos.
Goya remains a much loved artist, one of Spain’s best ever, and his work is an important topic to study.