Plate 59 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de la Guerra): 'What is the use of a cup?' (De qué sirve una taza?)
Original title: Plate 59 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de la Guerra): 'What is the use of a cup?' ( De qué sirve una taza?)
kurzbeschreibung
This print belongs to Francisco de Goya's graphic series 'The Disasters of War' (Los Desastres de la Guerra), created between 1811 and 1812 and published posthumously in 1863. The etching with aquatint presents a scene in which someone holds a cup to the mouth of a wounded person lying on the ground, while another figure lies stretched out nearby.
Description
Two figures lie prone in the foreground, wounded or dying. A third bends down and brings a cup to the mouth of one of the fallen, as if trying to give water. Dark greys dominate the image, a murky lighting underscores the gravity of the moment. The gloomy background isolates the figures from their surroundings and draws attention to the central action. The arrangement remains stark and free of embellishment.
Context
The series 'Los Desastres de la Guerra' originated during the Spanish War of Independence (1808–1814) and takes up the horrors of war. Goya worked on the etchings between 1810 and 1820; they were only published in 1863, long after his death. Plate 59 belongs to a group that shows the hunger and hardship of the civilian population. The title 'De qué sirve una taza?' asks what use a cup is when faced with suffering that knows no relief.
Impact
The dark, almost colourless print leaves a somber, melancholic mood that brings the suffering of war victims close. Few figures, a dark space: the eye is drawn to the helpless gesture of offering the cup, which radiates desolation and futility. Through its simplicity and the delicate aquatint texture, the etching is both poignant and restrained.
Technique
The print was executed as an etching, with burnished aquatint and lavis (an ink wash). This technique allowed fine tonal gradations and a rich texture that enhances the somber atmosphere. The plate measures 15.3 × 20.3 cm, the sheet format 25 × 34.3 cm – a size typical for the series.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)