They do not agree (No se convienen)
Original title: Plate 17 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de la Guerra): 'They do not agree' (No se convienen)
kurzbeschreibung
This is the 17th plate from Francisco de Goya y Lucientes's series Los Desastres de la Guerra, made around 1810 and first published in 1863. An etching reworked with drypoint, burin, and burnisher, it presents a chaotic combat scene with a horseman and numerous figures in the foreground and background.
Description
A horseman on a rearing horse dominates the foreground. Around him are several figures: some lying on the ground, others in violent motion. Dark hatching and delicate lines create strong contrast and emphasize the crowding. The gray tones are typical of etching; realistic body forms meet effective signs of violence and confusion.
Context
Between 1810 and 1820, Goya responded with this series to the Napoleonic Wars in Spain and the subsequent restoration. The 82 plates appeared only in 1863, 35 years after the artist's death, published by the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid. The subject draws on an episode from the guerrilla war, in which civilians and soldiers clashed. The title 'No se convienen' alludes to disagreement or strife within the depicted group.
Impact
An oppressive, restless mood emanates from this print, making the horrors of war directly palpable. The dynamic layout and dark contrasts heighten the dramatic force, drawing the viewer into the action. Fine lines and shading create a detailed surface that brings out the brutality of the violence.
Technique
For this plate, Goya used etching and additionally worked the plate with drypoint, burin, and burnisher. This produces precise lines and graduated shading that give the figures and the setting plasticity. The image measures 14.5 × 21.5 cm and is printed on a larger sheet of 25.2 × 34.2 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)