Of what ill will he die? (De que mal morira?)
Original title: Plate 40 from "Los Caprichos": Of what ill will he die? (De que mal morira?)
kurzbeschreibung
Plate 40 from Francisco de Goya's Los Caprichos, created in 1799. It is an etching with burnished aquatint, drypoint, and burin. The image shows a donkey, standing upright like a person, tending to a sick man in bed.
Description
A sick man lies stretched out in bed, while a donkey in a shirt sits opposite him, holding him with a caring gesture. The donkey's upright posture contrasts sharply with the powerless, reclining figure. A dark curtain closes off the space behind, intensifying the oppressive mood. Below the scene, the inscription 'De que mal morira?' is etched into the plate. The image is monochrome in various shades of gray, and the light feels subdued.
Context
Between 1797 and 1799, Goya created the 80-plate series Los Caprichos, a critical satire on Spanish society. Plate 40 belongs to the group that deals with human folly and superstition. In 1799, the etchings were published as a subscription edition, but were withdrawn from sale shortly afterward.
Impact
The initially irritating sight of a caring donkey and a helpless human is unsettling and prompts reflection. The gloomy atmosphere and satirical exaggeration make the viewer ponder the limits of reason and human weakness.
Technique
Etching, burnished aquatint, drypoint, and burin were used in combination for this plate. These techniques allowed for fine transitions between light and dark, giving the image its dense, atmospheric effect.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)