Francisco de Goya
54. El Vergonzoso, 1799
The shamefaced one
Original etching and aquatint on paper from ‘Los Caprichos’. From the first edition ‘before scratch’ published in 1799. Image size: 150 x 215 mm Frame size: 335 x 410 mm...
Original etching and aquatint on paper from ‘Los Caprichos’. From the first edition ‘before scratch’ published in 1799.
Image size: 150 x 215 mm
Frame size: 335 x 410 mm
Goya's commentary:
There are men whose faces are the most indecent parts of their whole bodies and it would be a good thing if those who have such unfortunate and ridiculous faces were to put them in their breeches.
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.