The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters, from 'Los Caprichos' - Francisco Goya - Framed art Print

Born in Fuendetodos, Northern Spain in 1746, Francisco de Goya was a respected Neoclassical painter, celebrated as the final Old Master and pioneering Modern artist. He later moved to Saragossa, where his father was a gilder. fascinated by the prevalent Rococo Style, he apprenticed under local painter Jose Luzan Martinez, who studied in Naples, Italy, with the famous Giuseppe Mastroleo. Goya found influence in the work of masters like Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velazquez and Rembrandt Van Rijn.

In a quest for knowledge, he relocated to Rome, Italy around 1771, but returned home after a year. He then worked with the Bayeu brothers, Francisco and Ramon, in their Madrid studio and eventually married their sister. His association with the Royal Academy of Fine Arts landed him a job as a designer with the Royal Tapestry Factory.

By 1786, Goya's extraordinary talent caught the attention of the royal aristocracy, earning him the title of Court Painter. This marked the zenith of his career, producing acclaimed works like Duke and Duchess of Osuna, Portraits of King Charles IV, and the Count of Floridablanca. The Spanish nobility were enamored with the artist, commissioning numerous portraits. However, he fell ill between 1792 and 1793, losing his hearing, and became somewhat reclusive. Despite his official commissions and religious works, he pursued experimental dark paintings, resulting in the 1799 series Caprichos. His career took a downturn following the French invasion of Spain and the subsequent ascension of King Ferdinand VII, who was not a fan of Goya. His later works include the Disasters of War, The Charge of the Mamelukes, Santa Justa and Santa Rufina, and the Black Paintings. Goya, disillusioned with Spanish royalty, relocated to Bordeaux, France, where he died from a stroke in 1828. His collection of paintings, imbued with emotion and resonance, continue to fascinate to this day.