The Spanish artist Francisco de Goya was widely regarded as a unique influence on modern art. He rose from humble beginnings to become First Painter to the King of Spain but his political views brought him into conflict with the state and he ended his life in exile. Goya's long career spanned over 60 years. At various times he was a designer of tapestries for the royal palaces a fashionable portrait painter and the creator of powerful religious works and darkly satirical studies attacking the Church and Spanish society. He remains most famous however for his celebrated Black Paintings depicting nightmarish scenes which he painted on the walls of his own house while living in self-imposed isolation. Illustrated in full colour Goya features many of his most famous works. The story of his long and eventful life is interwoven with expert analysis of his painting to give a complete understanding of this unique artistic genius.