This too, plate 43 from The Disasters of War Possibly 1815 - 1863

Francisco de Goya created this print, ‘This too,’ as part of his ‘Disasters of War’ series. The series, made with etching, drypoint, burin, and burnisher, is a bleak commentary on conflict and its aftermath. This print depicts a group of figures in distress, likely civilians caught in the violence of the Peninsular War in Spain. Goya was working during a time of enormous social upheaval. The Enlightenment was challenging traditional hierarchies, the church was losing its grip, and the old order was in crisis. Goya was a court painter who also took commissions from those who sought to overthrow the old order. So the question of whose side he was on, or whether he thought there were any sides worth fighting for, is up for grabs in this print. Goya's work reflects the growing skepticism toward established institutions and the questioning of humanity's capacity for reason. By examining historical records, personal correspondence, and contemporary accounts, we can better understand the complex social and political context in which Goya produced this powerful critique of war.