Disparate conocido (Well-Known Folly)

Disparate conocido (Well-Known Folly) is a profound print created by Francisco Goya in 1816, utilizing the demanding techniques of etching and burnished aquatint. This piece is classified among the graphic series known as Los Disparates (or Proverbios), a collection executed late in Goya’s career. The specialized application of aquatint allowed the Spanish master to achieve high contrasts and deep tonal ranges, lending the figures an intense, atmospheric quality that characterizes this dark, symbolic cycle. This work falls within the critical period of 1801 to 1825, when the artist increasingly retreated from official commissions and focused on intensely personal and often satirical commentary on contemporary society.

The subject matter of Disparate conocido remains, like the rest of the series, open to scholarly interpretation, though the general theme centers on human irrationality, folly, and social absurdity. Created during the repressive political climate following the return of King Ferdinand VII, the print functions as a powerful critique of superstition, institutional corruption, and the madness inherent in public life. Goya employs unsettling imagery, using grotesque figures and ambiguous settings to expose these societal failings. The piece exemplifies the artist’s dramatic shift towards psychological exploration and fantastic realism following a debilitating illness that contributed to his profound disillusionment with the Age of Enlightenment ideals.

The lasting significance of Goya's prints from this era has cemented his reputation as a progenitor of modern graphic arts, influencing subsequent generations of artists in Europe. This specific impression of the etching and burnished aquatint is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where it contributes to the thorough documentation of Spanish art history during the first quarter of the 19th century. The status of this artwork within a major institutional collection ensures its accessibility and continued contribution to the public domain of art scholarship.