He defends himself well (Se defiende bien)
Original title: Plate 78 from "The Disasters of War" (Los Desastres de la Guerra): 'He defends himself well' (Se defiende bien)
kurzbeschreibung
From Goya's series 'Los Desastres de la Guerra' (1814–15, first published 1863) comes this etching titled 'He Defends Himself Well' (Se defiende bien). It shows a horse holding its own against a pack of attacking dogs. The print combines etching, drypoint, burin, and burnisher, and measures 17.2 × 22 cm.
Description
A horse dominates the center, caught mid-leap as it clears an obstacle. Its raised hind leg and streaming tail emphasize the power of the moment. Several dogs surround the animal: some launch attacks, others lie on the ground or hold back. Sharp contours and detailed lines stress texture and movement. The etching remains monochrome black and white, with even light and no pronounced shadows. The layout is asymmetrical, with the horse as the core and the dogs arranged around it.
Context
Between 1810 and 1820, Goya created 'Los Desastres de la Guerra' as a response to the Napoleonic Wars in Spain and their aftermath. This sheet, number 78, appeared only in 1863, posthumously, many years after Goya's death. It belongs to a group of works dealing with allegorical or symbolic themes, here the struggle for survival. The series is considered unflinching in its portrayal of violence and human suffering.
Impact
An immediate tension and drama seizes the viewer and pulls them into the combat. The horse's dynamic movement meets the aggression of the dogs, creating an oppressive mood that evokes the cruelty of war. Clear lines and the absence of color heighten the emotional impact of the print.
Technique
Goya combined etching, drypoint, burin, and burnisher to achieve fine lines and gradations. With drypoint he drew soft, velvety lines; the burin served for precise contours. The burnisher lightened areas and thus shaped lighting effects.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)