Francisco de Goya

By the 1780s, Goya was Spain's leading painter, specializing in religious pictures and portraits; also known for visual commentary on contemporary politics and events. He said that he was influenced by Diego Velázquez, Rembrandt van Rijn; and nature. In 1792, illness left Goya deaf and mentally broken. He turned inward and began creating dark, disturbing, private works. (ULAN)