Men Spitting at a Fire
Original title: Men Spitting at a Fire
kurzbeschreibung
Three figures turn their backs on a fire in this lithograph by Francisco de Goya y Lucientes. The print was made between 1820 and 1850, is rendered in shades of grey, and belongs to Goya's late work.
Description
Two figures are in motion, one crouches on the ground – all three are outlined with just a few strokes. Behind them a fire blazes, yet they look away. The sparing use of detail and the diffuse light give the scene the feel of a fleeting snapshot.
Context
Goya made this lithograph in his final years, in exile in Bordeaux. There he tried his hand at the then still young printing technique. The motif fits into his later, often gloomy and socially critical works; the exact circumstances of its creation, however, are not recorded.
Impact
The sketchy execution and the strange action create a disconcerting, almost absurd mood. Because only a few lines and areas are set down, the sheet feels raw and immediate – a hallmark of Goya's late work.
Technique
In lithography, the motif is drawn with greasy chalk on a stone and then printed on paper. This process allows a spontaneous, drawing-like line, which is clearly used here. The monochrome print produces the grey-toned effect.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)