Description
Book SynopsisA comprehensive, highly absorbing portrait of this complex artist.
Trade Review"Sarah Symmons has done a deft job contextualising Goya."—Independent
"Symmons uses her deep understanding of Spanish institutions and Goya's contemporaries to illuminate the trajectory of his career. In presenting such a subtle and revealing image, she has done a great service to students and aficionados of Goya alike."—The Art Book
On the Art & Ideas series
"Art & Ideas has broken new ground in making accessible authoritative views on periods, movements and concepts in art. As a series it represents a real advance in publishing."—Sir Nicholas Serota, Director, Tate London
"The format is wonderful and offers what had long been missing in academic studies: usable manuals for specific themes or periods... I am definitely not alone in welcoming Art & Ideas as a precious set of teaching tools."—Joachim Pissarro, Yale University
"Phaidon's series may prove to be the pick of the crop. It boasts expert but undogmatic texts and a wealth of illustrations."—The Sunday Telegraph
Table of ContentsAn unpromising start - student years in Aragon, Madrid and Rome; court life and court art - Bourbon patronage and tapestry cartoons; "a vain and difficult man" - the inspiration of Velazquez and the restriction of religious art; the sublime portraitist - private patrons and the challenge of portraiture; illness, madness and witchcraft - the "caprichos" and their precursors; the beleaguered monarchy - political uncertainties and artistic triumphs; disasters of war - war and the artist as witness; aftermath - victory and artistic retreat; geriatric genius - Goya triumphant; the tribute of posterity - Goya's legacy and the Spanish tradition.
