Asta su abuelo (And So Was His Grandfather)

Asta su abuelo (And So Was His Grandfather) by Francisco Goya, executed in 1799, is a powerful example of the Spanish artist's graphic work during the crucial period of 1776 to 1800. Classified as a print, the work utilizes the highly complex and tonally rich techniques of lift-ground aquatint and standard aquatint on laid paper. This medium demonstrates Goya’s pioneering mastery of etching processes and his ability to harness deep, velvety blacks and subtle gray washes.

Goya, a pivotal figure in Spanish culture, used the reproducible nature of prints to critique the institutions, superstitions, and social follies of his era. The subject matter typically involves generational critique or the satirical portrayal of ignorance inherited through a lineage. The dense tonal variations afforded by the aquatint technique create dark, atmospheric backdrops that amplify the often unsettling or absurd nature of the scenes depicted, aligning with the growing Enlightenment focus on reason versus irrationality.

This work serves as important historical evidence of Goya’s transition from royal court painter to a trenchant social observer committed to exposing uncomfortable truths. The piece’s execution date places it squarely within a prolific moment in Goya’s career when he was developing his most searing collections of graphic art.

This exceptional piece of late eighteenth-century graphic art is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The artistic quality and historical significance of Asta su abuelo ensure its standing as a major reference point for scholars studying the development of social commentary in European art. Like many of Goya's works from this era, the prints are often cited as major examples of art now considered part of the public domain, ensuring wide access and continued scholarly appreciation.