Out hunting for teeth 1799

Francisco Goya made this haunting print, "Out hunting for teeth," using etching and aquatint. These printmaking processes, though indirect, depend upon the application of skilled labor. The image shows a woman taking teeth from a hanged man, presumably for use as medicine or in witchcraft. Its stark contrasts and textures were achieved by layering acid-bitten lines and tones onto a copper plate. This was painstaking work. Consider Goya's choice of printmaking, a medium that allows for the reproduction of images. In this way, Goya ensured his critique of superstition and social injustice could reach a wider audience. The labor-intensive techniques used, stand in sharp contrast to the grim subject matter, creating a tension that speaks volumes about the human condition during Goya's time. It reminds us that even in the face of darkness, the act of creation and dissemination of ideas remains a powerful form of resistance.