Interview

Hello, this is Asa Zelman, conducting an interview with a Mr. Francisco Goya, world-renowned painter and artist extraordinaire. 

A: So Mr. Goya, you were born in March 1746. Is that correct?

G: Si, it was a cold March day, very windy.

A: Fascinating stuff.

A: So Mr. Goya, was it early on that you became interested in an artistic vocation?

G: Back in my childhood, I attended school at Escuelas Pias, when I took up a comradeship with a young gentleman by the name of Martin Zapater. Martin, as it were, was artistic himself and soon drew me along this line. 

A: Was Mr. Zapater your only influence in the artistic world?

G: No, no.  You see, my father, he was in the art of gilding and my painting master defiantly helped. So as you can imagine, I was exposed to exquisite artistic creations and craftsmanship.

A: You said something about a painting master.  Could you elaborate?

G: Of course.  I had two painting masters:  Jose Luzan and Anton Raphael Mengs. You will have to forgive me, for I am quite old and my memories are not the best. I do not remember much of Luzan, but of Mengs, I remember some. Mengs was an exceptional artist and his works even earned him the prestigious title of Head of the Vatican Painting School.

A: Amazing! But I have to wonder, how did you two get along?

G: You will have to excuse my tone, but we did not exactly…get along.

A: Ah I see… but I have to ask:  what was the art…style, if you will…when you entered the art world?

G: The style, you ask? Well, how can I put this?  It was what you call today neo-classical. There were almost no visible brush strokes and the figures were moderately stylized. It almost seemed as if people glowed.

A: I was looking around Wikipedia to see what I could find about you and I noticed that it said that you got into a little political trouble.  Do you mind if I inquire about that?

G: Of course.  It was 1808, I believe. The French had just invaded Spain and the peninsular war was 

beginning.  I was accused of being involved in the court of the intruder, King Joseph I.  I was said to have made paintings for the French king. But between you and me, I denied everything.

A: Clever. Hey, what, in your opinion, is your greatest artistic accomplishment?

G: Oh you are quite clever, young sir. You ask what my biggest accomplishment is? I will have to say my black paintings, although I was quite mad at the time.

A: What about you paintings of war crimes?

G: Those were…interesting…. but the black paintings reached deeper, if you comprehend my meaning.

A: Okay, so you have had famous mentors and worldwide admirers, so here’s the question:  what was a key opportunity that led to all this?

G: Ahhh. If I were to have to define a key moment, it would be when I painted the canvas that is placed on the altar of the Church of San Francisco El Grande. Now, to those of your time this might not seem important, but this canvas painting got me into the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

A: Really? A canvas for an altar?

G: Si.

A: Alright then. If you don’t mind me asking, what personal choices did you make to get there?

G: My “persistencia.”  I was formally rejected from the honorable Royal Academy twice but I persisted and eventually got in.

A: I feel uncomfortable asking this question but for the sake of the readers I have to. Are there any hardships you had to overcome during the course of your life?

G: (sigh…)

A: You don’t have to answer if it’s…

G: No young sir, I understand you mean no harm. As you know, I started to lose my hearing in 1792 and by 1793 I was could hear nothing. In fact, I owe you an immeasurable debt of gratitude for without these…what did you call these…?

A: Hearing aids.

G: Ah, yes, hearing aids.  For without these, I would be unable to hear you, even now.

A: (Chuckle) you’re welcome. So on the subject of deafness, how did being deaf limit you?

G: Well, you do ask the difficult questions, don’t you?

A: If I have said something offensive…

G: No, its fine, although I must admit I am somewhat embarrassed to admit, just how far into the depths of madness I sank.

A: There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, your best work came from the depths of your madness.

G: So it would seem…

A: Okay last question then I won’t take up any more of your time.

A: Do you have any personal stories that led to your success?

G: Young sir, all I can relate to this proposed question is that I descended into the deepest depths of madness, secluded myself and painted that of my worst nightmares fears. But I did not lose myself climbed out of the depths managed to regain most of my sanity and within the later years of my life lived almost normally in Paris and painted wonderful paintings with my housekeeper Dona Leocadia and my illegitimate daughter.

A: Wow…that’s incredible…

G: I am honored you think so.

A: no, no. I’m the one who’s honored; it has been a pleasure and thank you once again for the interview.

G: “Su bienvenida”

A: And that was Mr. Francisco Goya.

A: Till next time then.