Original etching, aquatint, burin and drypoint on paper from ‘Los Caprichos’.

From the first edition 'before scratch' published in 1799.

This artwork is framed.

Image size: 150 x 215 mm

Frame size: 360 x 440 mm

Goya’s commentary:

In all sciences there are quacks who know everything without having studied a word and have a remedy for everything. You should not trust a word they say. The really wise man is always wary of making predictions: he promises little and accomplishes a lot: but the Count Palatine accomplishes nothing of what he promises.

Los Caprichos:

Not only is this a first edition, but one of the earliest. After the first 25 or so pulls were

taken, a scratch appeared on plate 45, which is to be seen on all subsequent editions. This print is from one of these rare sets, before scratch.

The subtlety of tone and lush quality of the aquatint printing in this etching is unrivalled and will be exactly as Goya had intended. It is also highly likely that Goya would have handled this very print.