Francisco Bayeu y Subías

Francisco Bayeu's art developed from a flashy Rococo style to a more academic Classicism as he was the disciple of the neo-classicist A. R. Mengs. His early works were influenced by Luca Giordano and Corrado Giaquinto, but he later turned towards a [Neoclassicism#ESTILOS#11] that was very much in the style of Mengs. Mengs called him to Madrid in 1763 to work on the decoration of the palace vaults. He painted the Surrender of Granada for Isabella Farnese's chambers and the Battle of the Princes, the sketch for which is in the Museo del Prado. Bayeu was Court Painter to Charles III from 1748 to 1795 and director of the Academy of San Fernando. He is famous for being [Goya's#pintor_en#2085] brother-in-law. Goya spent some time at Bayeu's workshop and painted a memorable portrait of him. Bayeu painted portraits and a large number of decorative works, particularly cartoons for the Royal Tapestry Factory. He was considered the best cartoonist after Goya. Between 1772 and 1775 he executed his most Baroque work: the decoration of two vaults in the Cathedral Del Pilar in Saragossa. There, he collaborated with his brother [Ramón#pintor_en#3866] and Goya. He also decorated the cloister of Toledo cathedral, which is the artist's most personal work.