Goya: ‘In sickness and in health’

The following paper serves primarily to discuss the nature and cause of the multiple, documented illnesses suffered by the 18th Century Spanish artist Francisco Goya y Lucientes. In doing so it explores the artist's defiance of contemporary social mores, religious doctrines and the rigid standards of artistic romanticism. Furthermore, it examines the impact of illness upon artistic expression and the apparent correlation between heightened artistic proficiency and clinical depression with particular reference to the aforementioned artist. In addition, it provides a brief insight into the complexion of medical practice in Spain during the period of the Inquisition contrasted with those standards of conduct encompassed within the newly emerging movement of Enlightenment.