LECTURE: FRANCISCO GOYA

frescoes in the Basilica del Pilar in Zaragoza. P.

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes

Francisco Goya was born in 1946 in Fuendetodos, Spain. After 82 years, he died in Bordeaux. He was really old like for these times.

The Glory or Adoration of the Name of God

1771 is dated as a year of his debut. He then painted 'The Glory or Adoration of the Name of God' and frescoes in the Basilica del Pilar in Zaragoza. P.

Christ Crucified

Sermon of Saint Bernardine of Siena

Goya had many successes under his belt. He painted at the royal court, became deputy director of the Academy of St. Ferdinand, and obtained the title of Pintor del Rey (painter of the king). (epodreczniki.pl, n.d.)

Goya is one of the most famous Spanish artists next to Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Diego Velazquez and Antonio Gaudi. His works can be admired worldwide, and some museums have even been named in his honour.  'During his long artistic life, he painted about 700 paintings, 280 prints and about a thousand drawings.' (epodreczniki.pl, n.d.)

Goya during his career painted a series of black painting. They came into being when Goya got rid of his illusions about human nature. One of the most famous ones is The Pilgrimage to San Isidro. 

The Pilgrimage to San Isidro

This majestic painting is 1,4 meters high and 4,5 meters long. 

The change in his paintings was started because of his mysterious illness.

It is really interesting how illness changes how people look at the world and additionally affects art. From this time, all of his artworks were made using a narrow range of dark colours. They show sad and scary scenes lacking at least a little bit of brightness and positive feelings.

In my opinion, his works are brilliant and he is definitely one of the best artists. How his style of painting changed throughout his career is very intriguing.

Reference: 

Francisco de Goya y Lucientes – malarz o „gwałtownych kontrastach, okropnościach natury, fizjonomiach ludzkich dziwacznie zezwierzęconych pod wpływem okoliczności” (Charles Baudelaire). - Epodreczniki.pl. [Online] Epodreczniki.pl. Available from: https://epodreczniki.pl/a/francisco-de-goya-y-lucientes---malarz-o-gwaltownych-kontrastach-okropnosciach-natury-fizjonomiach-ludzkich-dziwacznie-zezwierzeconych-pod-wplywem-okolicznosci-charles-baudelaire/DAfhWwNIH [Accessed 04/25/21].

The glory or adoration of the name of god. [Online] Ibercaja.es. Available from: https://museogoya.ibercaja.es/en/obras/the-glory-or-adoration-of-the-name-of-god [Accessed 04/25/21].

The pilgrimage to San Isidro - the collection. [Online] Museodelprado.es. Available from: https://www.museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/the-pilgrimage-to-san-isidro/d6d92063-15a9-4cfb-a7be-3576a2f8b87e [Accessed 04/25/21].