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Plate 41 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de La Guerra): They escape through the flames (Escapan entre las llamas)

Original title: Plate 41 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de La Guerra): They escape through the flames (Escapan entre las llamas)

Artist

Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes)

Date

1810 (published 1863)

Medium

Etching, burin

Dimensions

Plate: 6 5/16 × 9 1/4 in. (16 × 23.5 cm) Sheet: 13 9/16 x 9 15/16 in. (34.5 x 25.2 cm)

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Grafton H. Pyne, 1951

kurzbeschreibung

This print belongs to Francisco de Goya's etching series 'Los Desastres de la Guerra', made in 1810. It shows a crowd of people fleeing from a burning house. The graphic was executed as an etching with burin.

Description

A jumble of bodies: some walk, others run, all hurry away. Behind them stands a building in flames, the fire leaping in explosions and casting the scene in harsh light. The fugitives wear clothing that points to an earlier time. The layout feels restless, with strong lines and deep shadows driving the urgency and panic. The glow comes mainly from the fire, setting bright areas against dark ones.

Context

Goya worked on this etching during the Spanish War of Independence (1808–1814), when Spain resisted Napoleon's troops. The series 'Desastres de la Guerra' was created between 1810 and 1820, but only published in 1863 after the artist's death. This motif presents the civilian population fleeing the effects of war—a recurring theme in the series.

Impact

The print evokes immediate sympathy because the flight and the looming danger of the flames are vividly described. The dark aesthetic, marked by harsh contrasts, heightens the sense of fear and hopelessness.

Technique

For the etching, Goya used the burin, which allows fine, precise lines. This creates a rich texture and graduated shading that support the dramatic lighting.

AI-generated description text

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)