Plate 72 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de la Guerra): 'The Consequences' (Las resultas)
Original title: Plate 72 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de la Guerra): 'The Consequences' (Las resultas)
kurzbeschreibung
Between 1814 and 1815 Francisco Goya made the etching "The Consequences" (Las resultas) as part of his series "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de la Guerra). The print was not published until 1863. It shows a lifeless figure stretched out on the ground, surrounded by bird wings and rubble.
Description
A motionless person lies on the ground, hemmed in by wings that bring to mind a bird or some winged being. Broken stones and more wings fill the rear area. The layout is irregular, steering the eye toward the dead figure in the foreground. A muted light falls on the body and deepens the somber effect. Light and dark clash sharply; wings and stones are rendered with great precision.
Context
The series "The Disasters of War" was made between 1810 and 1820 in response to the Napoleonic wars in Spain and their aftermath. Goya created the etchings privately; they were only published in 1863, after his death. "The Consequences" belongs to the later prints in the series, which deal with the war's repercussions. The wings may allude to fallen angels or allegorical figures, read in the context of wartime atrocities as a comment on loss and devastation.
Impact
Through its bleak imagery and pared-down arrangement, the etching evokes a sense of oppression. The contrast between the dead body and the intricately etched wings gives the print a surreal, almost allegorical note. The scene remains deliberately enigmatic, leaving room for associations with death and transience.
Technique
The etching is executed in the technique of acid biting (etching) on paper, with plate sizes of 17.5 × 22 cm. Goya used fine lines and hatching to create light and shadow effects. The details of the wings and stones show precise needlework, typical of his printmaking works.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)