Devout Profession (Devota profesion), Plate 70 from "Los Caprichos"
Original title: Plate 70 from "Los Caprichos": Devout Profession (Devota profesion)
kurzbeschreibung
From Francisco de Goya's print series Los Caprichos comes the sheet titled Devota profesion, made in 1799. This drypoint etching with aquatint presents a group of figures acting in a setting reminiscent of a church.
Description
A figure dressed in religious garb steps forward, a book in hand, and appears to be delivering a speech. Facing this figure stands an angelic being who also holds up a book. Behind them, more people crowd together with expansive gestures, suggesting a heated exchange. The space remains dark and cramped, and the graded grays with their deep shadows contribute to the gloomy mood.
Context
The series Los Caprichos falls into a period when, in Spain toward the end of the 18th century, the church and society were increasingly called into question. In it, Goya grappled with superstition, the clergy, and social ills. The edition of etchings was published in 1799, shortly after Goya received the title of court painter.
Impact
The crowded arrangement of the figures and the harsh contrasts between light and dark make the image appear restless and unsettling. Exaggerated gestures and the tense posture of those involved evoke an atmosphere of hypocrisy and fanaticism.
Technique
Goya combined etching, aquatint, and drypoint, so that fine lines complement flat tonal areas. The aquatint provides soft, grainy gray gradations, while drypoint sets down strong, dry lines for the contours. The sheet was printed on laid paper, and the plate measures 20.5 × 16.4 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)