Las rinde el Sueño. 1796 - 1797

This print, “Las rinde el Sueño,” was made by Francisco de Goya using etching and aquatint. These are both intaglio printmaking techniques, meaning that the image is incised into a metal plate, and then ink is applied and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the recesses. When paper is pressed against the plate, the image is transferred. Aquatint allows for areas of tone rather than just lines, lending a painterly feel. Look closely, and you’ll see how Goya has used these techniques to create a dramatic contrast between light and shadow. This contributes to the print's eerie and unsettling atmosphere. Consider the labor involved. Each print required careful work by the artist to prepare the plate. The prints were relatively easy to produce in multiples, making them accessible to a wider audience. Goya used printmaking to disseminate his critical views on Spanish society. Ultimately, the meaning of this image is inseparable from the materials and processes used to create it. It bridges the gap between fine art and the craft of printmaking.