Plate 68 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de la Guerra): 'What madness!' (Que locura!)
Original title: Plate 68 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de la Guerra): 'What madness!' (Que locura!)
kurzbeschreibung
From Goya's series 'The Disasters of War' (Los Desastres de la Guerra) comes the etching 'What Madness!' (Que locura!), made in 1814–15 and published only in 1863. It depicts a kneeling, hooded figure handling a knife-like object, surrounded by other people in an interior. The execution combines etching, lavis, and drypoint.
Description
A crouching figure with a hood and loose robe kneels on the ground, seemingly busy with a knife-like tool. Behind, other people can be made out: one sits at a table, another stands to the side. Unease and drama pervade the image, intensified by the dark tonality and forceful strokes. The entire sheet lies in deep darkness, underscoring the somber mood. The layout is tight and cramped, with little spatial depth.
Context
'Los Desastres de la Guerra' arose in the context of the Spanish War of Independence (1808–1814) and after its end; Goya etched the plates between 1810 and 1820, but they were printed only in 1863, after his death. Plate 68 belongs to a group dealing with the famine in Madrid of 1811–12. The title 'Que locura!' names the irrationality of violence and suffering.
Impact
An oppressive, disturbing mood emanates from this print, carried by the dark tonality and restless linework. The chaotic scene and the ironic title demand that the viewer reflect on the madness of war. The cramped layout and lack of spatial clarity create disorientation.
Technique
Etching with lavis and drypoint on paper – a method Goya used for deep shadows and fine gradations. The plate measures 21.4 x 16.2 cm, the sheet 34.3 x 25.2 cm. The interplay of etching and lavis allowed a nuanced rendering of light and darkness.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)