Buen Viage (Bon Voyage)

Buen Viage (Bon Voyage) is a masterful print created by Francisco Goya in 1799. This intense graphic work was executed using the complex combination of etching, aquatint, and engraving, techniques further refined through burnishing, all applied to laid paper. The period of creation, spanning 1776 to 1800, places this piece firmly within the end of the Spanish Enlightenment, a time ripe for Goya's penetrating social and political commentary.

As a pre-eminent practitioner of graphic arts, Goya utilized the inherent capabilities of the print medium to their fullest extent. The profound use of deep aquatint results in dramatic tonal contrasts and profound shadows, characteristic of Goya’s graphic output during the 1790s, particularly the iconic Los Caprichos series. This technical approach allowed Goya to explore unsettling themes of darkness, allegory, and social critique, creating a vehicle for distributing complex images that reflected the anxieties of Spanish society at the turn of the century.

The exacting application of etching and engraving provides the necessary structural definition, while burnishing enhances the visual drama by restoring vital areas of light. Goya’s command over these processes solidified his status as one of the most significant creators of prints in the early modern era. The artist’s ability to imbue these small-scale works with epic psychological weight makes this an essential example of Spanish graphic artistry from the late 18th century. This specific impression of Buen Viage (Bon Voyage) is housed within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, contributing significantly to the understanding of Goya’s pivotal artistic output before 1800.