Caritas (Charity)

Caritas (Charity), created by Francisco Goya between 1775 and 1785, is a masterful example of late 18th-century Spanish graphic work. This piece is classified as a print, specifically executed using the demanding techniques of etching and drypoint on thin laid paper. Although the design originated during Goya's foundational artistic period (1751 to 1775), this particular impression is from a subsequent edition. Records indicate this pull was likely made around 1920-1930, demonstrating the lasting interest in Goya’s graphic output long after the initial printing. The physical condition of the print and the clarity of the lines confirm its status as a robust second edition impression.

Goya, a pivotal figure in the history of Spanish art, often explored complex themes of morality and human nature in his graphic series. While Caritas addresses one of the primary theological virtues—Charity—many of the artist’s contemporary prints showcased the darker side of Enlightenment-era society through powerful satire. His distinctive handling of the drypoint needle provides deep textural variations and rich, velvety blacks, a defining feature that distinguishes his prints from earlier European printmakers. The creation of this work falls within a transformative phase of Goya’s career, marking his shift toward the more emotive and expressive style that would define his most famous caprichos and desastres.

The work remains a significant component of Goya’s output, demonstrating his early commitment to printmaking as a powerful expressive medium distinct from commissioned paintings. The piece is held within the extensive collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., where it helps catalog the evolution of Spanish art through the transition from the Bourbon court era to modern movements. As the work is centuries old, high-resolution reproductions often enter the public domain, allowing global accessibility to Goya's genius and scholarship regarding his influential prints.