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Francisco Goya

Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes

In the midst of commencing political and aristocratic turmoil, was born one of the most talented and patriotically concerned artists Spain has ever seen. On March 30, 1746, one of Spain's most innovative painters and etchers was born. In the rural town of Fuendetodos, Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes was born. Francesco de Goya y Lucientes was the first modern artist and the last old master. He was born poor and at the fall of the Hapsburg Monarchy. Goya's grandfather was the son of a notary, or a minor lawyer, and his grandmother Dona Gracia Lucientes, was a Hidalgo. Hidalgos were the lowest order in Spanish nobility. His father was a painter and a gilder of altarpieces, and his mother was descended from a family of minor Aragonese nobility. Facts of Goya's childhood are scarce. Goya was still a boy when he and his family moved to the city of Saragossa.

Saragossa contained more life than the rural city of Fuendetodos. Here he began school, where he barely learned to read and write. After attending elementary school, Francisco went to a Jesuit school. It was here where the foundation of his career was laid. It was recommended that he develop his natural skills in drawing. A local master painter, named Jose Luzan y Martinez, took Goya under his wing. Martinez was a typical third rank painter of that time, but was well respected in the city. Goya began learning to paint the human figure by copying sculptures and molds. The drawing of naked models was forbidden at that time. However, by this point Goya showed himself as a fine copyist, and was able to adapt quickly to other peoples' styles. Goya's first commission was the painting of the church doors at Fuendentodos. This project confirmed his profession.

At age 17, Goya went to test himself in the larger and more demanding area of Madrid. In 1763, the young artist went to Madrid, where he hoped to win a prize at the Academy of San Fernando. Although he did not win...