Mod Almenvellet (71) 1810 - 1820

This etching, "Mod Almenvellet (71)," was created by Francisco de Goya, likely in the early 19th century. Its imagery emerges from the incisive technique of etching, where lines are bitten into a metal plate with acid, then inked and printed. The stark contrast between light and shadow, achieved through Goya’s manipulation of the etching process, emphasizes the grotesque figure at the center of the composition. This figure is hunched over a large book, with bat-like wings sprouting from its back, seemingly writing the laws of the land. Below, a crowd of figures appears to be suffering under its pronouncements. Consider the labor and skill involved in creating this image. Etching is an indirect process, demanding careful planning and execution. The corrosive action of acid on metal mirrors the destructive impact of the figure's actions on society, while the mechanical reproduction of prints allowed for wide dissemination of Goya's critical vision, challenging traditional boundaries between art and social commentary.