FREE ESSAY ON LIFE OF GOYA

LIFE OF GOYA

Life of Goya
With the coronation of the two Catholic rulers, Ferdinand and Isabella in 1479, the
country of Spain slowly began to unite. Piece by piece, the King and Queen recaptured
once lost lands and built their empire. In 1516 Carlos V rose to power, establishing the
Hapsburg reign. The Hapsburg ruled for nearly two hundred years until the death of
Charles II. With him died a Golden Age for Spain that the Catholic rulers established.
Spain fell into a time of mass poverty, disorganization, and lackadaisical rule. One
force that was structured in Spain was the church. Catholicism was not only a religion in
Spain but also a significant influence in society. At the time, however, it did little to
improve the conditions. Classes were heavily lopsided. The middle class was almost
non-existent, and the upper class monopolized agricultural land. The provinces of Aragon,
La Mancha, and Castile were where most of the poverty and depression was concentrated.
Costal cities like Cadiz and Madrid were where prosperity existed. 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, 1745 in the rural town of Fuendetodos, Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes
was born. He was born poor and at the fall of the Hapsburg Monarchy. Goya's father was
the son of a notary, or a small time lawyer, and his mother Dona Gracia Lucientes, was a
hidalgo. Hidalgos were the lowest order in Spanish nobility. Goya 
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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 or "college". 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. By this point Goya showed himself as a fine copyist, and 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. When he saw the
painting some 50 years later he exclaimed, " Don't say I painted those!" At age 17 Goya
went to test himself in a larger and more demanding area, Madrid.
Another individual who had a profound impact on Goya's life and art was Velazquez.
Velazquez was a painter of Spain's pride and power -a superb realist. Although Velazquez
had an influence on Goya's artistic style, his art is distinctly different from that of
his predecessor. Velazquez's paintings depicted absolute and precise figures. Most of
Goya's work, other than portraits, was noticeably distorted. 
These were times of confusion and despair, which would serve as artistic topics for
Goya's work. The other half of his work is strictly his reaction and response to
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surrounding occurrences. Perhaps nobody depicted mortal's thoughts and actions better
than Goya. He combined his personal thoughts and the thoughts of the character in the
painting so they either contrasted or became one. Goya used this devise of altering human
characteristics as a way to undermine politicians and aristocrats without confrontation.
A prime example of this is in the portrait of the family of Charles the IV. Charles IV
was a Bourbon King who was later deposed by Napoleon. This portrait is at the pivotal
point of Goya's career. The public Goya and the private Goya, usually rigidly separated
were briefly allowed to merge. As Goya was at the center of the social scene by this
point, he was very aware of the history, people and events of his time. He depicts the
characters and family members as he sees them, weak, sheltered, and cocky. The clothing
and costumes on the people describe their rank in society, however their faces portray a
lack of power and character. As he did in life, the King stands to one side and his face
is that of an uncertain oaf. Queen Maria Luisa stands in the middle of the painting with
a double chin and her expression is crude, almost vulgar. Her arms were something that
she was proud of in life. She was proud of their thickness and strength but Goya paints
them to look almost gross. The daughter is depicted as pleasant (Goya idolized children's
innocence), and uncorrupted, although her dress is similar to her mothers. This
illustrates the brainwashing of youthful nobility, and their lack of independence. Other
relatives are positioned behind the King which is perhaps in 
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mitation of Velazquez' invention in the masterpiece Las Meninas. These depictions went
unnoticed, and while Goya never painted for the King and Queen again, it was not because
they were dissatisfied. He got away with it and went on to fulfill other artistic
desires. What is extraordinary about this portrait is that it borders a thin line between
levels of understanding. Goya found a median at which he could satisfy someone's
expectations while fulfilling his own artistic thoughts. At first glance or even
scrupulous examination, someone who is ignorant of the techniques being used sees only a
picture of a royal portrait. 
Somewhat of a different style and theme is showed in The Shooting on Principe Pio
Mountain. A more free brush technique is used here and the faces and figures in the
picture are more abstract, less detailed. The shooters are anonymous and they doggedly
obey orders by killing the suspects lined up in front of them. In the center of the
painting is a Spanish commoner who has his arms raised and his face is that of despair,
horror, and hopelessness. This event (one of many that were similar) was a significant
moment in Spanish history. French firing squads patrolled through Spain as guerrillas
(little wars) broke out over the land. Goya painted the picture six years later, and had
mixed feelings about it. His love for Spain is shown in all of his work, however he was
an admirer of the French Enlightenment. This painting shows a difference and gradual
change in Goya's style. The brush strokes are much more scratchy and not as delicate as 
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previous works. It was possibly painted with more passion and thus the reason for the
more symbolic tone and not realistic.
Goya could be considered one of the most talented artists of his time and without
question he is. However what is to be merited is influence and understanding of Spain and
her people. A true artist, or painter in this case, can put thoughts onto canvas forcing
the observer to look beyond the jewels and ranks of royalty. They can tell a characters
life story or thoughts with miniscule variations in facial and body language. Goya did
these things to perfection and should be regarded as one of the great minds of Spanish
culture.