Rabbit hunter with a Retriever c. 1812 - 1820

Francisco Goya made this drawing using ink wash on paper, a technique that’s all about the delicate layering of diluted ink. Notice how Goya coaxes out the scene with varying intensities of light and shadow. The ink, fluid and responsive, allows for swift execution, capturing the immediacy of the moment. The rough texture of the paper lends a tactile quality, absorbing the ink in unpredictable ways, leaving subtle blooms and bleeds that enrich the visual experience. But the work's material also draws our attention to what isn’t there. The scene depicts a hunter with his dog, presenting a moment of labor. The hunter’s posture and his weary clothing show the physical work involved, while the dead rabbit hints at the act of hunting as a means of sustenance. It offers us a glimpse into everyday life, and the economic realities that drive it. Goya's choice of such a humble medium elevates the scene with dignity, blurring the boundaries between fine art and the realities of life.