Francisco de Goya (1746 – 1828) was one of the famous Spanish court painters. His early artwork belongs to the genre painting, which he mastered through tapestry design for King Charles III. Influenced by the work of Velasquez, Goya developed more spontaneous painting technique. Simultaneously, his portraits became well-known among the Spanish aristocracy facilitating him to become a Court Painter of King Charles IV in the 1789. Goya’s Self-portrait before an Easel (1792-5) depicts him as a successful artist; holding a palette in one hand and a brush in the other one. This self-portrait portrays the reputation Goya enjoyed among the Spanish royalty. Not later, Goya suffered from a serious illness, which led to a seizure in 1793. Around this
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Precisely, the hat is decorated with metal candle-holders to provide the artificial light for Goya. Later in the book, there is a quote by his son which confirms this claim: ‘’The final touches in order to secure the best effect in a painting would be added at night, under artificial light’’ .
Thus, Goya reveals us a secret about the way he paints. Therefore, he fully represents himself as a confident painter in this self-portrait. Some painters never revealed their secrets, while Goya casually does so. Indeed, he seems to present us an artwork about his work and his life as a painter. During this time he was a court painter, hence he is portraying us a luxurious, comfortable lifestyle he enjoyed at court.
Self portrait (1797), on the contrary, has no details in the background. Emptiness of the background forces the viewer to focus on Goya's face and gaze, suggesting that the painter wants us to look at him only, at his soul. Goya represents his psychological state to the viewers. The only material detail in this self-portrait is a brooch inscribed with Goya's name upside down. This detail reminds us on Goya's reputation as a painter. He subtly indicates us that he is still capable of painting and that illness surely will not stop
Precisely, the hat is decorated with metal candle-holders to provide the artificial light for Goya. Later in the book, there is a quote by his son which confirms this claim: ‘’The final touches in order to secure the best effect in a painting would be added at night, under artificial light’’ .
Thus, Goya reveals us a secret about the way he paints. Therefore, he fully represents himself as a confident painter in this self-portrait. Some painters never revealed their secrets, while Goya casually does so. Indeed, he seems to present us an artwork about his work and his life as a painter. During this time he was a court painter, hence he is portraying us a luxurious, comfortable lifestyle he enjoyed at court.
Self portrait (1797), on the contrary, has no details in the background. Emptiness of the background forces the viewer to focus on Goya's face and gaze, suggesting that the painter wants us to look at him only, at his soul. Goya represents his psychological state to the viewers. The only material detail in this self-portrait is a brooch inscribed with Goya's name upside down. This detail reminds us on Goya's reputation as a painter. He subtly indicates us that he is still capable of painting and that illness surely will not stop