It's a hard step!, plate 14 from The Disasters of War Possibly 1810 - 1863

Francisco Goya etched "It's a hard step!" as part of his series "The Disasters of War", a harrowing response to the Peninsular War. Here, the act of hoisting a body onto a makeshift gallows pulsates with dark symbolism. The ladder, an instrument of elevation, is perverted into a tool of death. The monk, gesturing with a disturbing mix of triumph and madness, embodies the corruption of spiritual authority amidst violence. This scene echoes through history, recalling images of crucifixion and public executions, each iteration a chilling reminder of humanity's capacity for cruelty. Consider the recurring motif of the raised hand, here a symbol of perverse triumph, yet elsewhere a gesture of blessing or supplication. How easily these primal gestures are twisted, reflecting our deepest fears and desires. Such symbolism resonates on a subconscious level, stirring within us a recognition of inherited trauma. The power of Goya's image lies in its ability to tap into this collective memory, forcing us to confront the cyclical nature of violence and its enduring impact on the human psyche.