Plate 24 from 'The Disasters of War' (Los Desastres de la Guerra): 'They can still be of use' (Aun podrán servir)
Original title: Plate 24 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de la Guerra): 'They can still be of use' (Aun podrán servir)
kurzbeschreibung
This etching by Goya, from the 'Disasters of War' series (1810, published 1863), gathers a group of people around a fallen soldier. Worked with drypoint and burnisher, the plate measures 16 × 25.5 cm and ranks among the most haunting records of war's aftermath.
Description
A dead warrior lies at the heart of the image, surrounded by mourners. Some weep, while others turn away, creating a restless, many-voiced atmosphere. A plain landscape with a castle or tower forms the backdrop. The clothing recalls Spanish traditional dress. Dark tones and a somber mood emphasize the emotional weight, while fine lines and shading bring out the etching technique.
Context
Between 1810 and 1820, Goya responded to the Napoleonic Wars in Spain and their consequences with the 'Disasters of War.' The series only appeared in 1863, 35 years after Goya's death, published by the Royal Academy of San Fernando. The 24th plate bears the title 'Aun podrán servir' (They can still be of use), which may hint at the reuse of weapons or belongings of the dead. Created in an era of censorship, the etchings remained unpublished during his lifetime.
Impact
The scene feels oppressive: the dark tonality and the layered group of figures intensify this impression. The arrangement inevitably draws the eye to the corpse, making transience and the senselessness of war immediately palpable. The mix of grief and turning away among some figures leaves the print ambivalent and thought-provoking.
Technique
Etching with burnisher allows fine lines and nuanced shading. Thus Goya achieves both harsh contrasts and soft transitions, which support the somber mood. The plate measures 16 × 25.5 cm, the sheet 25.2 × 34.4 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)