There is Plenty to Suck 18th-19th century

Curator: Before us is Francisco Goya's print, "There is Plenty to Suck," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a rather striking image, isn't it? Editor: Striking and deeply unsettling. These figures huddled together, swathed in cloth, evoke a real sense of predatory hunger. The bats above...it's almost gothic in its darkness. Curator: Indeed. Goya's mastery lies in the aquatint technique, allowing for a broad range of tonal values. Note how he uses it to create a stark contrast, heightening the grotesque nature of the scene. Editor: That basket overflowing with...dolls? Or are they meant to be the heads of children? Goya really cranks up the unease there. Is he commenting on societal decay, a kind of vampiric elite feeding on the vulnerable? Curator: It's tempting to read it that way. The inscription itself, "Mucho hay que chupar," suggests a system of exploitation. The composition—the way he groups these figures—forces us to confront this uncomfortable truth. Editor: It really does. You look at this and you can't help but feel a chill, a reminder that shadows and monsters aren't just the stuff of fairy tales. Curator: Precisely. Goya leaves us grappling with questions of power and the darker aspects of human nature. Editor: Making it an enduring piece, haunting us still.