Plate 18 from "Los Caprichos": And his house is on fire (Ysele quema la Casa)
Original title: Plate 18 from "Los Caprichos": And his house is on fire (Ysele quema la Casa)
kurzbeschreibung
A chair burns while a figure stands motionless before it in a dark room. Goya's 1799 etching with burnished aquatint, plate 18 from 'Los Caprichos', measures 21.4 x 15.1 cm and bears the inscription 'Ysele quema la Casa'.
Description
An upright figure, leaning slightly forward in a heavy jacket and high-waisted trousers, occupies the left half of the image. The face is distorted, mouth wide open as if laughing or screaming. To the right, a chair blazes, its flames lighting the room. The arrangement stays spare, the fire drawing the eye while the surroundings sink into deep black. Gray tones dominate the monochrome print.
Context
Between 1797 and 1799, Goya made his 80 etchings for the series 'Los Caprichos', attacking social ills and human follies. Plate 18 is among those dealing with superstition and unreason. Who the figure 'Isele' is remains uncertain; the title refers to someone setting his own house on fire. In 1799 the Caprichos were published as a complete set and were attacked for their biting satire.
Impact
The glaring fire amid darkness creates an oppressive mood. The figure's contorted expression is disturbing, leaving it unclear whether they laugh or scream. The very sparseness of the composition heightens the intensity of the moment.
Technique
Etching with burnished aquatint allows finely graduated tones and rich shadows. The linework is precise, while the aquatint creates soft transitions between light and dark. Goya used this method to achieve dramatic lighting effects.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)