Barbar! (38) 1810 - 1820

This print, "Barbar! (38)", was made by Francisco Goya using etching and aquatint. These are printmaking techniques that involve biting into a metal plate with acid, then using it to make impressions on paper. Look closely, and you'll see the subtle textures and tones achieved through this process. Notice how the aquatint creates areas of shadow and depth, while the etched lines define the figures and details. The grainy effect is achieved by sprinkling resin on the plate before the acid bath. This creates a resist, resulting in a textured surface when printed. The effect is a work full of drama, enhanced by the stark contrast between light and shadow, which lends the scene a sense of immediacy. The very act of creating the print—the labor-intensive etching and aquatint—mirrors the laborious and brutal realities of war depicted. This work challenges traditional notions of fine art by engaging with the gritty realities of social and political conflict. Goya elevates the print, typically considered a craft medium, to a powerful form of social commentary.