Francisco Goya Facts & Worksheets

Francisco Goya was a Spanish artist whose paintings, drawings, and engravings represented the historical upheavals of the time and influenced notable 19th- and 20th-century painters. He was born in Fuendetodos, Spain, on March 30, 1746, and passed away in Bordeaux, France, on April 16, 1828. His paintings “The Clothed Maja” (c. 1800–05), “The Naked Maja,” and “The Third of May 1808” (1814) are among his most significant works.

See the fact file below for more information about Francisco Goya, or you can download our 24-page Francisco Goya worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

EARLY TRAINING AND CAREER

• Goya’s artistic journey began in Zaragoza, where he studied under José Luzán y Martínez before joining Francisco Bayeu, a court painter in Madrid, whom he later married. 
• His academic journey took him to Rome in 1771, followed by fresco commissions in Zaragoza, reflecting the Baroque-Rococo style popular in Spain, influenced by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
• In 1775, Goya started his court employment, producing over sixty preparatory paintings for the Royal Tapestry Factory of Santa Bárbara until 1792. 
• Anton Raphael Mengs, a Neoclassicist, oversaw the project, blending simplicity with Tiepolo’s ornamental style, shaping Goya’s early works.
• Goya’s independence from foreign traditions emerged through his study of Diego Velázquez’s paintings, which he later etched. 
• Goya gained fame for his naturalistic style, influenced by Velázquez, which led to his admittance in 1780 as a member of the Royal Academy of San Fernando. 
• By 1786, he became Charles III’s painter, reflecting Velázquez’s influence in his depictions of aristocrats and court officials, characterized by their traditional poses and elaborate costumes.
• Goya’s artistry evolved through his admiration for Velázquez’s realism, Rembrandt’s nature studies, and his dedication to portraying life’s authenticity. 
• His deep reverence for these masters shaped his unique style, evident in his royal portraits and societal scenes, marking him as a pivotal figure in Spanish art history.

PERIOD UNDER CHARLES IV OF SPAIN

• The era of affluence and enlightenment in which Goya matured ended with the death of Charles III in 1788, just before the onset of the French Revolution.
• Napoleon’s invasion of Spain marked the end of reactionary control, ushering in a political and social corruption period under Charles IV and Queen Maria Luisa. 
• Goya, supported by the new monarch, became Spain’s most renowned artist, appointed court painter in 1795, and later named first royal painter in 1799.
• Goya’s art took on a new quality after a sickness in 1792 left him permanently deaf. He explored imagination and observation in his cabinet pictures, including “The Madhouse,” painted in 1794, which depicted scenes he witnessed in Zaragoza.
• Transitioning to engraving and drawing, he created pointed satires like “Los Caprichos,” a series of eighty etchings released in 1799, denouncing political, social, and religious excesses. 
• Despite claiming universality in his themes, his works were seen as allusions to prominent figures and were withdrawn from sale shortly after release.
• Goya adhered to traditional formulas in his commissioned paintings, but his uncommissioned works expressed complete freedom for observation, fantasy, and invention. 
• His style in decorating the chapel of San Antonio de la Florida in Madrid (1798) echoed Tiepolo’s, yet his portrayal of sacred and secular popular types showcased boldness and freedom. 
• He depicted acquaintances and officials with a fresh emphasis on characterization, revealing a strong sense of personality, sometimes flattering as seen in portraits of women like Doña Isabel de Porcel and, at other times, unflattering as in his royal portraits.
• Despite his position as a court painter, Goya’s portrayal of the main characters in “The Family of Charles IV” vividly captured filth and horror, almost resembling caricature. 
• In 1803, Goya gave the king the plates for “Los Caprichos” in exchange for his son’s pension, later claiming the Inquisition had threatened him.

NAPOLEONIC INVASION AND PERIOD AFTER THE RESTORATION

• Napoleon’s soldiers entered Spain in 1808, at the height of Goya’s official career, forcing Charles IV and his son Ferdinand to surrender quickly and installing Napoleon’s brother Joseph on the throne. 
• Goya continued to work as a royal painter, but he also painted Spanish and French generals during the conflict and painted the Duke of Wellington’s portrait in 1812. 
• But he did document his responses to the invasion and the atrocities and catastrophic outcomes of the war in a series of etchings titled The Disasters of War (first published 1863), for which he drew while fighting. 
• Instead of being depicted with documentary reality, the horrific and violent events he undoubtedly witnessed are shown in dramatic compositions combining severe details with aquatint to produce a striking sense of authenticity.
• Following the invasion’s expulsion, Goya was reinstated as the first court painter upon Ferdinand VII’s restoration in 1814. Goya received a pardon for his services to the French monarch. 
• Two paintings were created to honor the public uprising in Madrid: “The Fight of the Mamelukes” on May 2, 1808, and “The Executions” on May 3, 1808, in Madrid. 
• They are dramatic realist compositions, much like The Disasters, and are made all the more poignant by their enormous size. 
• Later 19th-century French artists, like Édouard Manet, who was also inspired by the composition of May 3, were foreshadowed and influenced by the impressionistic style in which they are painted. 
• More powerfully than any description, Goya conveyed the character of the terrible tyrant whose repressive rule drove most of his associates and eventually Goya himself into exile in several portraits of Ferdinand VII, painted after his restoration. 
• Although he created few other official pictures, his self-portraits from 1815 and those of his friends and family are just as individualized. 
• Compared to his previous church paintings, several religious compositions from this era, such as “The Last Communion of St. Joseph of Calasanz” (1819) and “The Agony in the Garden” (1819), are more indicative of absolute devotion. 
• Conversely, the mysterious “black paintings” that he used to adorn the walls of his country home, Quinta del Sordo (1820–23), and Los proverbios or Los disparities, a collection of etchings created around the same time but not released until 1864, are nightmare visions rendered in expressionist language that appear to convey despair, cynicism, and pessimism.

LAST YEARS

• In 1824, Goya requested permission to travel to France for medical reasons after an attempt to form a liberal government failed and persecution resumed. 
• With the exception of a little trip to Madrid, he resided in Bordeaux until his death after going into voluntary exile during a visit to Paris.
• There, despite his advanced age and health issues, he kept documenting his observations of the world around him through paintings, drawings, and the new printing method he had started to employ in Spain.  
• His final works feature genre themes and multiple portraits of friends living in exile, such as Don José Pío de Molina, Don Juan Bautista de Muguiro, and Leandro Fernández de Moratín. 
• These depictions demonstrate the style’s ultimate evolution toward a synthesis of form and character in terms of light and shade, devoid of outline and detail, and with a minimum amount of color.

LEGACY

• Even though the stories about Goya’s aggressive and rebellious behavior are not well supported by evidence, he was a revolutionary artist. 
• His vast and diverse body of work, including paintings, sketches, and engravings on almost every facet of modern life, reflects the turbulent political and social climate of his day. His innovative accomplishments left a lasting impression on later 19th-century French artists, including the great Impressionist Eugène Delacroix. 
• These artists led new European movements from Romanticism and Realism to Impressionism, and his works were still studied and appreciated in the 20th and 21st centuries by the Expressionists, Surrealists, and other groups.

Francisco Goya Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Francisco Goya across 24 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Francisco Goya. He was born in Fuendetodos, Spain, on March 30, 1746, and passed away in Bordeaux, France, on April 16, 1828. His paintings “The Clothed Maja” (c. 1800–05), “The Naked Maja,” and “The Third of May 1808” (1814) are among his most significant works.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Francisco Goya Facts
2. Biographical Timeline
3. The Third of May 1808
4. Saturn Devouring His Son
5. Unveiling Controversy
6. Explore the Symbolism
7. Artistic Legacy
8. Etch of Your Own
9. Humor in Mosaic
10. Art Inspired
11. Transformation

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Francisco Goya?

Francisco Goya (1746–1828) was a renowned Spanish painter and printmaker, considered one of the most important artists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He is best known for his portraits, imaginative etchings, and strikingly powerful depictions of historical events.

What are some of Francisco Goya’s most famous works?

Among his most famous works are “The Third of May 1808,” depicting the Spanish resistance to Napoleon’s army, and the hauntingly dark “Black Paintings,” a series of murals he painted on the walls of his house, reflecting his descent into illness and disillusionment in his later years.

What was Goya’s artistic style known for?

Goya’s style evolved over his career, but he is particularly noted for his ability to capture raw emotion and convey social and political commentary through his work. His use of dramatic lighting, bold brushwork, and innovative compositions set him apart as a master of his craft.

How did Goya’s work influence later artists?

Goya’s willingness to explore dark themes and his use of expressive techniques had a profound impact on subsequent generations of artists. His exploration of the human condition and his unflinching portrayal of reality laid the groundwork for movements such as Romanticism and Expressionism.

What is the significance of Goya’s legacy today?

Goya’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of art to challenge conventions, provoke thought, and bear witness to the complexities of the human experience. His work continues to inspire artists, scholars, and audiences around the world, prompting reflection on the enduring relevance of his themes and techniques.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

<a href="https://kidskonnect.com/social-studies/francisco-goya/">Francisco Goya Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com</a> - KidsKonnect, May 15, 2024

Link will appear as Francisco Goya Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, May 15, 2024