Francisco Goya and Romanticism

Francisco Goya exemplifies the ideas of Romanticism because in his works he openly challenged the ideals of society, he experimented with new and different forms of expressing himself through art, and he focused on the emotions of his subjects. Goya openly contested the ideals of society in works such as Los Caprichos (1799) and Los Disparates (1864). In addition, Goya also experimented with different strategies in his painting such as his uses of colors and light. Lastly, Goya emphasized the emotions of his subjects rather than other aspects of the scene that may distract, such as extravagant dress or setting.

[Def. of Romanticism] From the beginning of Goya’s career to the very end, he openly challenged the ideals of his society. He took different approaches in depicting things such as daily life and governmental figures. His unique style begun with his first state commission to paint cartoons for the Royal Manufacture of Tapestries (1776) in his paintings of daily life, and continued through one of his most famous works: Los Caprichos (1799). In Los Caprichos, Goya openly questioned the government of his time, displayed in his unfavorable portrayals of governmental and religious figures. In Goya’s illustrations of Los Caprichos such as Soplones (Tattletales) he openly questions the act of Confession. Though it isn’t outwardly highlighted at a first glance, small details within the etch reveal that Goya’s subjects actually resemble clergy such as the man’s white robe. Goya was not afraid to challenge society through his art. Not only was it recognized by the people, but it was also recognized by the leaders, resulting in Goya’s need to publish an explanation of his work. Throughout his career, Goya was always willing to share...

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...motions. In his later works, right before his death, these dark emotions prevail once again, but in an even greater sense. In depictions such as Witches’ Sabbath (1823) Goya depicts a mountain of frightened people, huddled together in a protective way. Their eyes are opened in panic, their mouths stretched as if to yell, and darkness prevailing over their faces ominously. Goya is putting an apparent emphasis on nothing but the faces of the frightened, an aspect contributing to his reputation as a Romantic artist. Emotion was key to Romantic arts, and Goya embraced it.

Francisco Goya is a Romantic artist because he embodied all these traits of Romanticism in his artwork. His art is a pillar of Romanticism through its uses of emotion, technique, and political views. The Romantic movement was a period of emotion and freedom, something that Goya embodied to the fullest.