We are very proud to announce that Dr Wendy Bird, Teacher of History of Art and School Archivist, has published a major new biography of Goya.

Titled This is Goya, the beautifully illustrated hardback is a wonderfully accessible and engaging introduction to the life, times and work of the great Spanish painter.

The book is published by Laurence King and is available to order here.

In addition to her work at Queenswood, Dr Bird teaches at the Open University, among other institutions. Since she first discovered Goya’s prints at art college, the artist has been a constant focus of her study. She has been involved in Spanish street theatre, music and film and is herself a practising artist.

Modern art begins with Goya. He was the first to create works of art for their own sake, and he lived in a time of incredible cultural and social dynamism when the old concepts of social hierarchy were being shaken by the new concept of equality for all. He saw his world ripped apart by Napoleon’s armies and then suffered the reactionary backlash as the old order was restored. Against this epic canvas, Goya painted his own observations of humanity, transforming his youthful images of gaily dancing peasants into his mature penetrating studies of human suffering, despair, perseverance and redemption. Goya’s art rises above the chaos of his times, and signals the real revolution of personal expression and independent spirit that would be the generative force behind the modernist movement in art.