FRANCISCO JOS脡 DE GOYA Y LUCIENTES (1746-1828) was born in Fuentetodos, Saragossa, in northeastern Spain. The most important Spanish artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, he is often considered the first modern artist. He was productive for more than 50 years and completed about 700 paintings, 300 prints, and 900 drawings. His early style belongs to the Rococo period, whereas his later style extends into the Romantic era. He became prominent early in his career and was appointed court painter in 1786, continuing in this position under 3 Spanish kings. In October 1792, he addressed the Royal Academy in Madrid, Spain, with a call for artistic liberty and greater freedom from its regimentation.1(p93)