Francisco Goya was born in the Aragon region of Spain, the son of a master gilder. Goya began his career painting cartoons for the royal tapestry factory of Spain. Most of the early work of Goya was Rococo in style, light in subject matter and decorative in design. Soon after Goya was elected to the Academy of San Fernando and was made assistant director of painting. In 1789, he was given the sought after position of court painter to emperor Charles V.

In 1794, at the age of 47, Goya contracted a serious illness that left him completely deaf. At this point in his life Goya's art begins to change, both in subject and in his approach.
As Goya grew ever more cynical his paintings grew darker and more fantastic.

Adding to Goya's cynicism was the political atmosphere of Spain. France invaded the country in 1808 and occupied it for some six years. Politically, Goya had always been a liberal, often opposing the very king he worked for. Now however he found himself troubled by the military occupation of his homeland. He was allowed to retain his position as court painter under the French, but his activity decreased. During the occupation, Goya painted some of his most famous works showing the world the atrocities of war.

After the Spanish monarchy was restored, the Spanish Inquisition followed and Goya himself was questioned. In 1819 Goya fell ill for a second time, and he bought a small house on the outskirts of Madrid. Here, between 1820 and 1822, Goya would paint some of his most nightmarish visions, the "Black Paintings". These consisted of 14 large murals, painted almost entirely in blacks, greys, and browns, onto the walls of the house. One of the most famous from this group is "Saturn Devouring His Children".

Because of the deep psychological content of Goya's works he is often said to be the first of the "modern" painters. Goya would remain a major influence to many later artists, including another native Spaniard, Pablo Picasso.