Francisco de Goya y Lucientes was born in 1746 in Fuendetodos, Zaragoza.
There he grew and began to learn the artist’s trade in the workshop of a painter, José Luzán. He spent four years copying drawings his teacher gave him, until he decided he had mastered enough technique to paint images from his own imagination.
From then on, and until he died aged 82 in Bordeaux, as well as painting commissioned works of art, he never stopped drawing. In his drawings he could depict what was happening around him and also how he felt about it. He was free, which is why he always carried his sketchbook and drawing implements with him. Thanks to these sketches and drawings, we now know what he was like, but also about the times in which he lived.
For this exhibition to become a reality, it has taken 11 years, since Fundación Botín first began investigating the drawings and sketches made by great Spanish painters. Because there was no Internet, mobile phones or cameras back when they lived, all we have are their drawings to know how they felt, what they were interested in and, therefore, to be able to understand why their pictures are the way they are. The drawings and sketches of the great painters were not paid much attention until fairly recently, which is why it is very hard to find them and for them to be in good condition still. Paper is delicate, and the fact that it survives over time is almost a miracle. To make this exhibition possible, Fundación Botín has joined forces with the Prado Museum, which has the greatest collections of drawings and sketches by Goya in the world. At the Prado, Manuela Mena and José Manuel Matilla have investigated, compiled and selected these 83 drawings you are going to see now.
These drawings are a sketched diary of the life of Goya, from when he went to live in Madrid to when he died in Bordeaux. In them, you will see the things he liked, the things that troubled him, and the things he found very funny. The people who have been working to put together this exhibition for your enjoyment have finished their work. Now it’s your turn. Enjoy the exhibition and at the end, think about Goya. What do you think he was like?
Centro Botín
Albareda Dock no/d,
Peredas gardens
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