Qual la descañonan! 1796 - 1797

This etching, "What a way they pluck her!" was made by Francisco Goya, likely between 1810 and 1820, as part of his series "The Disasters of War". Goya's work can be understood as a visual response to the tumultuous social and political landscape of early 19th-century Spain. The print depicts a woman being attacked by figures who appear to be caricatures of authority, possibly referencing the clergy and aristocracy. The phrase “Qual la descañonan!” suggests a stripping away or despoiling, perhaps commenting on the exploitation and vulnerability of ordinary people during times of conflict. Living in a country wracked by war and political upheaval, Goya used his art to critique the abuses of power and expose the dark underbelly of society. To fully understand Goya's work, historians turn to period documents, political cartoons, and social commentaries to better understand the world that shaped his vision. The meaning of art, as we see here, is always contingent on its social and institutional context.