Francisco de Goya
78. Despacha, Que Dispiertan, 1799
Be quick, they are waking up
Original etching and burnished aquatint on paper from ‘Los Caprichos’. From the first edition ‘before scratch’. Image size: 150 x 215 mm Frame size: 360 x 440 mm Goya's commentary:...
Original etching and burnished aquatint on paper from ‘Los Caprichos’. From the first edition ‘before scratch’.
Image size: 150 x 215 mm
Frame size: 360 x 440 mm
Goya's commentary:
The goblins are the most industrious and obliging people there are. As the maid keeps them happy, they scour the pot, cook the vegetables, wash up, sweep and hush the child. It has often been disputed whether they are devils or not; don’t let us deceive ourselves. Devils are those who spend their time doing harm, or hindering others from doing good, or doing nothing at all.
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.
This artwork is framed.