Goya

The life of Francisco de Goya (1746-1828) coincided with a time of transformation in the history of Spain that unleashed turbulence in the country's politics and in the court of which the artist was a member, as well as social changes, the devastation of the Iberian Peninsula in the war against Napoleon and a subsequent period of instability. In this revealing biography, Janis Tomlinson draws on a wide range of documents -including letters, court writings, and a sketchbook used by Goya in the early years of his career- to offer a nuanced portrait of the complex and multifaceted artist. whose art is synonymous with the captivating images of the people, events and social revolution that defined his life and his era. Tomlinson challenges the popular image of the artist as a figure obsessed with darkness and death, showing how Goya's sympathy and ambition contributed to his success within the court, as well as offering new perspectives on his youthful, rich family life. , extensive travel and lasting friendships. Tomlinson explores the full potential of Goyesque imagery, from scenes inspired by life in Madrid to visions of irrational worlds, from royal portraits to war atrocities. The author sheds light on the artist's personal problems, including the death of six of his children and his hearing loss in midlife, but also reexamines the conventional interpretation that Goya's last years were a period of disillusionment and Instead, he shows them as a time of artistic liberation, which is reflected especially in the famous mural paintings of his villa, popularly known as the black paintings.