Out hunting for teeth (A caza des dientes), plate 12 from "Los Caprichos"
Original title: Out hunting for teeth (A caza des dientes), plate 12 from "Los Caprichos"
kurzbeschreibung
In 1799, Francisco de Goya's etching "Auf der Jagd nach Zähnen" (A caza de dientes) appeared as the twelfth plate in the series "Los Caprichos". It depicts a nighttime incident in which a woman takes a small child from a man's arms. The series satirically examines social ills. The print was executed in etching, burnished aquatint, and burin.
Description
On a staircase, two figures act: a woman in a dark, floral dress receives a small child from a man. He wears a light shirt and trousers with a belt; his expression appears tense. The background and surroundings remain dark and undefined, drawing the eye to the central action. A dim light envelops the scene, creating a gloomy nocturnal atmosphere. The engraved Latin title forms the lower border.
Context
As part of "Los Caprichos", published in 1799, Goya's critique targets superstition, corruption, and the social evils of his era. The collecting of teeth alludes to a common folk belief of the time: teeth from unbaptized children were supposedly used as amulets or processed into tooth powder. Goya used the series to expose the absurdity of such practices and the exploitation of the innocent. Aquatint allowed for fine tonal gradations that heighten the eerie mood of the plates.
Impact
The dark tonality and the enigmatic action create an oppressive, uncanny atmosphere. The apparent abduction of the child unsettles the viewer and prompts reflection on the social abysses shown.
Technique
The plate was executed in etching with burnished aquatint and burin, combining precise lines with soft tonal transitions. Aquatint produces fine grainy textures, especially important for the shadowy areas and the nocturnal mood. The plate measures 21.8 x 14.9 cm, the sheet 30.7 x 19.9 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)