Francisco Bayeu y Subías facts for kids
Francisco Bayeu y Subías was a famous Spanish painter. He was born in Zaragoza on March 9, 1734. He passed away in Madrid on August 4, 1795. Francisco painted in a style called Neoclassicism. He often painted religious stories and historical events. He was especially known for his large wall paintings called frescoes. His brothers, Ramón and Manuel, were also talented painters.
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Francisco Bayeu's Early Life and Art Studies
Francisco's father made tools for doctors and barbers. Francisco had a good education when he was young. He might have studied with the Jesuits. He started learning art with a local teacher named José Luzán. José Luzán had studied painting in Naples. Francisco also learned from Antonio González Velázquez. He even worked as Antonio's assistant.
In 1758, Francisco got a special scholarship. This allowed him to study art in Madrid. He went to the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando. His younger brothers, Ramón and Manuel, joined him in Madrid. They had lost their parents. Antonio González Velázquez helped the Bayeu family in Madrid. While studying, Francisco painted some religious artworks. One important work was at the Charterhouse of Aula Dei.
Return to Zaragoza and Marriage
Francisco was asked to leave the Academy in 1759. He had some disagreements with his teachers. So, he went back to Zaragoza with his brother Ramón. Ramón became Francisco's first student. Soon after returning, Francisco married Sebastiana Merklein. She was the daughter of one of his old teachers. This marriage helped him meet important people. He soon started getting many painting jobs.
Working for the King
In 1763, Francisco was called back to Madrid. A famous artist named Anton Raphael Mengs asked for his help. They worked together to decorate the Royal Palace of Madrid. That same year, King Charles III gave him a job. He worked at the Royal Tapestry Factory. There, he and Ramón designed pictures for tapestries. These designs were called "cartoons."
Francisco also went back to study at the Academy. In 1766, he received another scholarship. This one was to study art in Italy. Besides his tapestry work, he painted many decorations. These were for different palaces and churches. Later, he worked with Francisco Goya. Goya had married Francisco's sister, Josefa Bayeu.
Becoming a Court Painter
Francisco became a professor at the Academy in 1765. He was also named a Lieutenant-Director. In 1767, he became a court painter for the King. After trying several times, he became the Director of Painting at the Academy in 1788.
His brother Ramón, whom he was very close to, passed away. This made Francisco's health even worse. He was finally named the main Director of the Academy in 1795. This was just a short time before he died. People at the time said he had a very painful illness. It might have been the same lead poisoning that affected Ramón.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Bayeu para niños
