Artists
Francisco de Goya (1746, Fuendetodos, Zaragoza, Spain-1828, Bordeaux, France) is a key figure in the history of art and a forerunner of modern art. Recognised as one of the greatest artists of all time, Goya influenced movements such as Romanticism, Surrealism, Impressionism and Expressionism. His ability to anticipate pictorial trends makes him one of the fathers of contemporary art. Goya did not limit himself to a single style or genre; he mastered all painting fields, from portraits and self-portraits to costumbrista scenes (portraying social and local traditions and customs). His critical view of a convulsed and changing Madrid reveals his incisive view of society. Yet his work stands out for its ability to bring together a thorough social criticism with an anthropological analysis. Through his paintings, Goya not only observes society, but questions, exposes and unveils it, merging popular elements with a scathing reflection on human condition. This mixture of criticism and appreciation is still relevant today.
