Very informative, but short book. How a man from the province became the most famous painter in all Europe? Francisco Goya started his career as a tapestries designer and quickly jumped social steps to the Court painter, appointed by king Charles IV. This book describes not only his impressive life, but also XVIII-XIX c. Spanish society: woman's positions, political circumstances, court's intrigues and the power of Church. Why king Ferdinand VII banished the two artist's paintings to the storeroom, did Duchess of Alba really loved Goya or what meaning the dark paintings have and why Spanish people so love bullfights? Everything and much more you will find in this book.