God save us from such a bitter fate; a bandit threatening a woman and a child with a knife, page 41 from the "Black Border Album" (E)
Original title: God save us from such a bitter fate; a bandit threatening a woman and a child with a knife, page 41 from the "Black Border Album" (E)
kurzbeschreibung
May God save us from such a bitter fate – that is the title of this drawing by Francisco de Goya y Lucientes, made around 1816–20. A bandit threatens a woman and a child with a knife. The sheet belongs to the so-called 'Black Border Album' and is executed with brush, carbon black gray ink and scraper.
Description
A bandit dominates the image: he holds a knife and grips the woman and child, his gaze fixed directly on the viewer. The woman wears a cap and jacket; the child hides in her arms. The background feels gloomy and menacing, a dark cloudy sky heightens the drama. At the bottom is a Latin inscription rendered as 'Dios no libre están amago lante'. Gray tones govern the palette and reinforce the somber mood.
Context
This sheet comes from Goya's late work, when he increasingly dealt with violence and the hardships of social life. It belongs to the 'Black Border Album', a series of drawings made in Madrid around 1816–20. For these expressive scenes, often addressing nightmares and human abysses, Goya used brush and ink. The dating relies on stylistic comparisons with other works from this creative phase.
Impact
The bandit's direct gaze and the unbalanced layout create an immediate threat that draws the viewer into the action. The dark palette and rough texture make fear and hopelessness palpable.
Technique
Goya worked with brush and carbon-based gray ink, which he manipulated with a scraper to bring out highlights and structures. Brushstrokes and scratching technique give the figures vivid details and an expressive surface.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)