The Forum Goya: Seeking truth through art
Jan 17, 2019
Explore the life and art of Francisco Goya, the radical Spanish artist who depicted human suffering and societal issues. Learn about his evolution from royal commissions to bold critiques of the church and ruling classes. Delve into Goya's famous series of etchings, 'Los Capricos,' and his role as a war reporter during the Napoleonic era. Discover Goya's lasting legacy, influence on artists like Picasso, and timeless appeal to contemporary society.
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From Narrative To Focused Faces
- Goya began with busy, narrative portraits like the Prime Minister's then gradually simplified to focus on faces and spirit.
- Xavier Bray attributes this shift to Goya's empathy and growing confidence in capturing character.
Illness Triggered Creative Experimentation
- Goya's severe illness and resulting deafness coincided with a major artistic shift toward more experimental, private work.
- Janis Tomlinson and Xavier Bray note the disability freed him to explore fantasy and more personal themes.
Caprichos: Satire Against Superstition
- Los Caprichos attacked superstition, church corruption and social foibles using satire and fantastical imagery.
- Goya framed these prints as Enlightenment critique, putting reason against monsters of ignorance.