Los caprichos
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| Francisco Goya was considered skilled but unremarkable until he contracted [[lead poisoning]] in his late forties and made ''Caprichos.'' | Francisco Goya was considered skilled but unremarkable until he contracted [[lead poisoning]] in his late forties and made ''Caprichos.'' | ||
| - | After contracting a high fever in [[1792]] [[Goya]] was left deaf, and he became withdrawn and introspective. During the five years he spent recuperating, he read a great deal about the [[French Revolution]] and its philosophy. The [[bitter]] series of [[aquatint]]ed [[etching]]s that resulted were published in 1799 under the title ''[[Caprichos]]''. The [[dark]] visions depicted in these prints are partly explained by his caption, "[[The sleep of reason produces monsters]]". Yet these are not solely [[bleak]] in nature and demonstrate the artist's sharp [[satirical]] [[wit]], particularly evident in etchings such as ''Hunting for Teeth''. Additionally, one can discern a thread of the [[macabre]] running through Goya's work, even in his earlier tapestry cartoons. | + | After contracting a high fever in [[1792]] [[Goya]] was left deaf, and he became withdrawn and introspective. During the five years he spent recuperating, he read a great deal about the [[French Revolution]] and its philosophy. The [[bitter]] series of [[aquatint]]ed [[etching]]s that resulted were published in 1799 under the title ''[[Caprichos]]''. The [[dark]] visions depicted in these prints are partly explained by his caption, "[[The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters]]". Yet these are not solely [[bleak]] in nature and demonstrate the artist's sharp [[satirical]] [[wit]], particularly evident in etchings such as ''Hunting for Teeth''. Additionally, one can discern a thread of the [[macabre]] running through Goya's work, even in his earlier tapestry cartoons. |
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The prints were Goya's artistic experiment: a medium for his condemnation of the universal follies and foolishness in the Spanish society in which he lived. The criticisms are far-ranging and acid; he speaks against the predominance of superstition, the ignorance and inabilities of the various members of the ruling class, pedagogical short-comings, marital mistakes, and the decline of rationality - among other things.
Goya described the series as depicting "the innumerable foibles and follies to be found in any civilized society, and from the common prejudices and deceitful practices which custom, ignorance, or self-interest have made usual".
The work was an enlightened, visual tour-de-force critique of 18th century Spain, and humanity in general. The informal style, as well as the depiction of contemporary society found in Caprichos, makes them – and Goya himself – a precursor to the modernist movement almost a century later.
Caprichos were withdrawn from public sale before their planned release in 1799. Only a formal order from King Carlos IV kept Goya from being called before the Spanish Inquisition.
Francisco Goya was considered skilled but unremarkable until he contracted lead poisoning in his late forties and made Caprichos.
After contracting a high fever in 1792 Goya was left deaf, and he became withdrawn and introspective. During the five years he spent recuperating, he read a great deal about the French Revolution and its philosophy. The bitter series of aquatinted etchings that resulted were published in 1799 under the title Caprichos. The dark visions depicted in these prints are partly explained by his caption, "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters". Yet these are not solely bleak in nature and demonstrate the artist's sharp satirical wit, particularly evident in etchings such as Hunting for Teeth. Additionally, one can discern a thread of the macabre running through Goya's work, even in his earlier tapestry cartoons.
