KC Hill
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Craig Hill
Oracle of DelphiFrancisco Goya
November 1st 2007 00:00
Everyday is Halloween
I know you are all waiting patiently for the second part of my Vincent Van Gogh story, but I’m still in a bit of a Halloween mood so Goya seems more appropriate to study.(Though we still have th ear cutting to go.)
Execution of Spanish rebels under Napolean
Spanish Court painter Francisco José de Goya managed to make his renderings of history on canvas powerful and unfettered through empathising with the victims of brutal realities at the time.
His modernistic attention to nuance hides something dark and even macabre about his work, a bleak humanity. Horrific images at times in his later life, hence the suitability of the subject for Halloween. (It is a shame he never got to meet Edgar Allan Poe)
Goya does Dickens
Born in the kingdom of Aragon in 1746 and Goya began his artistic journey at 14 years of age. Studying as an apprentice, moving onto Madrid where he skimmed the surface of the Spanish Royal Court.
Applying for the Royal Academy of fine arts and being rejected twice sent him to Rome where his work began to get noticed, he was in his mid 20’s.
Goya - The Duchess of Alba and Group on a Balcony
Goya now started schooling with Francisco Bayeu's, who was a member of the Academy of Fine Arts and in 1774 he married his mentor’s sister.
Through the union he was able to become gainfully employed in The Royal Tapestry Workshop where Francisco painted patterns for decorating the cold stone walls of a monarchy building.
The fourth Charles
His fine work didn’t go unnoticed and soon he was painting a portrait for King Carlos III. Rising in stature his skill with a paint and brush were soon in constant demand within the upper echelons of power.
The arrival of the French revolution signalled more success but physical sacrifices were going to have to be made. At 47 years of age Goya was struck with a fever so acute it left him deaf. Nightmares supplied him with shocking images that had to be put down in picture.
Goya unleashes the beast Saturno
After being together over 30 years the loss of his beloved wife “Pepa” in 1812 pushed Goya away from portraits and into more internalised pain, amputated through visual expression.
Obsessed with his work and becoming more reclusive Francisco Goya travelled once more to Bordeaux where he would eventually die at the age of 82.
Goya sees the truth in war
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