Shop art print and framed art Les Caprices I : planche 43. "El sueño de la razon produce monstruos" by Francisco de Goya

Los caprichos (The Caprices, a term meaning "fantasy") is a series of 80 engravings by the Spanish painter Francisco de Goya, consisting of a satire of Spanish society at the end of the 18th century, especially the nobility and the clergy. The first half contains the most realistic and satirical engravings, in which Goya criticises the behaviour of his fellow men on the basis of reason. In the second half, he abandons rationality for the absurd"; his fantastic engravings show delirious visions of strange beings". He used a mixed technique of etching, aquatint and drypoint. He exaggeratedly distorted the faces and bodies of subjects representing human vices and stupidity, giving them a bestial appearance. Goya, who was close to the Enlightenment, shared their reflections on the shortcomings of the society of his time. He opposed religious fanaticism, superstition, the Inquisition and certain religious orders, and aspired to fairer laws and a new system of education. His engravings are marked by a humorous and merciless criticism of these flaws. Aware of the risk he was running and to protect himself, he gave certain engravings imprecise titles, particularly those criticising the aristocracy or the clergy, or ordered others illogically. Whatever the case, his contemporaries understood that the engravings, including the most ambiguous ones, were a direct satire of his society and also of real people, even if the artist always denied the latter aspect. The Caprichos were [...]

 

This artwork is a poster from the classical period.

 

« Les Caprices I : planche 43. "El sueño de la razon produce monstruos" » is kept at Palais des Beaux-Arts, Lille, France.

 

Find the full description of Les Caprices I : planche 43. "El sueño de la razon produce monstruos" by Francisco de Goya on Wikipedia.