Without Commending Himself either to God or the Devil [Clear Folly] c. 1813 - 1820

Curator: This is Francisco Goya’s etching, "Without Commending Himself either to God or the Devil", part of the "Disasters of War" series, created between 1813 and 1820. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the stark contrast and chaotic composition. There’s a real sense of imbalance created by that dark, oppressive form looming over the figures. Curator: Indeed, Goya masterfully employs aquatint to create these areas of tonal darkness, emphasizing the psychological weight of the scene. The composition guides our eye toward a figure falling headlong into what seems like an abyss. Editor: Is it symbolic of a loss of faith, perhaps? Given the title’s implication, "Without Commending Himself either to God or the Devil", it seems he's abandoned even spiritual recourse. What’s your interpretation? Curator: It could signify that. Also, note the figures holding what looks like a heavy cloth, shielding themselves. They create this suffocating shadow, and their expressions suggest complicity and perhaps even active malevolence. Editor: These faceless masses evoke a sense of collective guilt, doesn’t it? Goya really forces us to confront the inhumanity of conflict through visual allegory, and with expert etching and printing, every mark signifies pain, despair, futility... Curator: Exactly. While seemingly depicting historical events, it resonates as a timeless statement about human nature. Editor: Looking at this, one feels trapped in the nightmare of history. Goya understood the power of line, tone, and form to embody not just historical events, but humanity’s inner turmoil. It stays with you. Curator: A disturbing image. "Clear Folly", as this plate is subtitled.