Francisco de Goya (30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828)

El Tio Paquete

1819-1820

Goya is an absolutely strange artist, presaging a great many later periods (a sort of early visionary in line with El Greco). In his works there is often a great weight, with the observer given little opportunity to rest her eyes and mind as she peruses a piece. And, for some people, Goya's works are too somber in all aspects to elicit devotion, but for me the works are perfectly relentless. Even his early works, such as The Adoration of the Name of the Lord, which are at times considered Rococo (though for the piece below that's quite a stretch), his unnerving symbolism is present, is wonderful.