Goya y Lucientes

Goya y Lucientes, FRANCISCO, the most distinguished painter of the new Spanish school, was born at Fuente de Todos, in Aragon, 30th March 1746, and received his first education in art in the academy at San Luis, Saragossa. On his return from a visit to Rome, the talent and speed with which he executed some paintings for the royal tapestry manufactory gained the approbation of the celebrated Mengs, who superintended that work. His scenes from the common life of the Spanish people excited special admiration. In 1780 he was elected member of the academy of San Fernando. From this time, although he remains in all his work a thorough Spaniard, the influence of Velasquez and Rembrandt is observable in his paintings. Among the most celebrated of these is his portrait of Charles IV., for which he was made court-painter. In 1824 he went to Paris for his health, and continued to reside in France till his death at Bordeaux, 16th April 1828. See Lives by Yriarte (1867), Lefort (1877), De la Viñaza (1887), and Rothenstein (Lond. 1900).