Disparate conocido (Well-Known Folly)

Disparate conocido (Well-Known Folly) by Francisco Goya, executed circa 1816, is a powerful example of the artist's late graphic output and belongs to his final, deeply enigmatic series, Los Disparates (also known as Proverbios). This specific impression is an etching and burnished aquatint, designated as a rare trial proof printed posthumously before 1877. The work was created during a critical phase of the Spanish period, spanning 1801 to 1825, when Goya retreated from direct political critique toward allegorical and psychological expression.

The series Los Disparates abandoned the narrative clarity of Goya's earlier satirical work, Los Caprichos, for deeply personal, often nightmarish, visions characterized by profound ambiguity. The title, translating to "Well-Known Folly," suggests a commentary on social or intellectual absurdity, a constant feature in the work of the Spanish master. Goya’s expert use of the aquatint technique allows for dramatic contrasts and heavy shadows, emphasizing the unsettling atmosphere of the scene, which often features figures engaged in ritualistic or nonsensical activities embodying the titular folly. This dark tonality underscores the turbulent political and emotional landscape of Europe during the early nineteenth century.

As a highly sought-after example from this crucial moment in Goya’s career, this specific trial proof is part of the extensive collection of prints housed at the National Gallery of Art. The subtle tonal shifts achieved through the burnished aquatint highlight the experimental nature of his late period. While the original impressions of Goya's series are rare, the widespread study of these historic prints ensures their enduring scholarly accessibility. This work, alongside other celebrated Goya pieces from the Los Disparates series, is often made available to the public domain through institutional resources, allowing researchers and art enthusiasts to study the complexity of this pivotal creation.