Disparate puntual (Sure Folly)

Disparate puntual (Sure Folly) is a powerful print created by the Spanish master Francisco Goya in 1816. The work, classified formally as a print, primarily utilizes etching and aquatint, possibly incorporating drypoint to achieve rich textural variation. This sophisticated combination of mediums allowed Goya to convey profound psychological states, moving beyond the documentary style seen in his earlier output. This piece is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Goya’s graphic output during the period 1801 to 1825 reflects the turbulence and disillusionment following the Napoleonic Wars and the oppressive restoration of the monarchy under Ferdinand VII. The subject matter of Disparate puntual (Sure Folly), like others in the Los Disparates series, is highly cryptic and allegorical, dealing with universal themes of institutional irrationality, fear, and human foolishness. Goya’s application of aquatint is crucial to the work’s atmosphere; by manipulating the acid bath, he achieved dramatic, murky tonal fields that contrast starkly with etched lines, pulling the viewer into an unsettling, shadowed environment.

As a crucial work in the history of Spanish prints, this piece demonstrates Goya's late style, where traditional allegories dissolve into dark, fantastical visions. The technical complexity and profound thematic depth cemented the artist’s role as a precursor to modern art. Although created two centuries ago, the existential weight and technical mastery of this work continue to define the artist’s legacy. Because Goya is one of the most studied masters, the availability of high-resolution images of his late prints, often circulating in the public domain, allows scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to access and appreciate the full depth of his contribution to art history.