Disparate furioso (Furious Folly)

Disparate furioso (Furious Folly) is a powerful print created by Francisco Goya in 1816. This work, classified as a print, utilizes the complex technique of etching and burnished aquatint. It belongs to Goya’s final major print series, often known as the Disparates (Follies) or Proverbios (Proverbs). Executed during a challenging political climate in Spain following the French occupation, this piece captures the artist's disillusionment with human rationality and the oppressive environment of Ferdinand VII's restored monarchy.

The composition depicts figures caught in a state of chaos, frenzy, or fear, embodying the titular furious folly. Characteristic of the Disparates series, the exact narrative of the image remains ambiguous, allowing Goya to explore universal themes of irrationality, superstition, and political absurdity. Goya employed these grotesque, dream-like visions to criticize the societal hypocrisy and terror prevalent in Spanish society during the 1801 to 1825 period. These images represent a significant thematic departure from literal narration, instead plumbing the depths of the subconscious mind.

The masterful application of etching provides sharp definition to the figures, while the aquatint technique creates the rich, atmospheric tonal variations and deep blacks characteristic of Goya’s late style. While the master plates were created around 1816, this impression of Disparate furioso is a rare trial proof printed posthumously circa 1854-1863, offering valuable insight into the intermediate stages of the printing process. This significant work, a crucial example among Goya's later prints and a reflection of his profound artistic transition, is permanently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Such historical prints are essential resources and are often made available through institutional public domain initiatives.