Francisco de Goya

1746-1828

Spanish (culture or style) (Europe, Spain, France, Fuendetodos(Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain) - Bordeaux(Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France))

By the 1780s, Goya was Spain's leading painter, specializing in religious pictures and portraits; also known for visual commentary on contemporary politics and events. He said that he was influenced by Diego Velázquez, Rembrandt van Rijn; and nature. In 1792, illness left Goya deaf and mentally broken. He turned inward and began creating dark, disturbing, private works.