The Giant, etching by Goya

Description and origin: etching by Goya representing a man pushing a lady toward a giant surrounded by phantasmagoric faces. The giant may be holding a pair of castanets. Spain

Dimensions: 35 cm x 24.5 cm

Age: early 19th century

ON GOYA

Goya is a graphic genius and prolific artist, rooted in both the 18th century of the Spanish monarchy, and the 19th century of revolutionary wars. He has the ability to portray the Ancien Regime, with its kings and their absolutist splendor, its toreros and alguazils, its monks and smugglers, thieves and witches, before offering a dark testimony of the horrors and disillusionment generated by the maelstrom of political events subsequent to the French revolution: Napoleonic occupation of Spain, wave of repression against the liberals following the Restoration of the absolute monarchy of Ferdinand VII.

The decisive turning point in his life takes place in 1792, when a serious illness nearly kills him. It forces the artist to a long convalescence and leaves him permanently deaf.

Isolated from others by his disability, Goya becomes increasingly occupied with his visions, fantasies and inventions, developing a critical and satirical view on the mankind. His style breaks free and evolves into something new, close to caricature: “Los Caprichos”, a series of 80 etchings, satirizes human folly and weakness; "Los desastres de la Guerra”, another masterpiece of 82 etchings, offers a view on the true dark face of war. The illustrations of cruelty make Goya and his artwork a manifest against war violence, cruelty and madness.

“Las pinturas negras”, extraordinary paintings applied directly to the walls of his house “La Quinta del Sordo” (“Country House of the Deaf”), plunge once again into the abysses and irrationality of the human soul.

In a way, Goya's art illuminates and anticipates the movements to come: romanticism, impressionism, expressionism and surrealism.
He mentions nature among his main sources of influence, along with Velázquez and Rembrandt.