Disparate volante (Flying Folly)

Disparate volante (Flying Folly) by Francisco Goya is an enigmatic print, originally conceived around 1816 during a politically turbulent phase in Spain. This particular impression, classified as a trial proof, employs the demanding techniques of etching and aquatint. While the original plate design dates to the critical period of 1801 to 1825, a time when the artist was grappling with the aftermath of the Peninsular War, this specific proof was printed posthumously between 1854 and 1863.

Disparate volante belongs to Goya's final and perhaps most mysterious graphic series, known alternately as Los Disparates (The Follies) or Proverbios. Unlike his earlier, more conventional series, this collection explores themes of irrationality, superstition, and social critique through surreal and often unsettling imagery. The title itself suggests the absurdity or lack of control inherent in human actions, often depicted through airborne figures that symbolize "flying folly" or unrestrained absurdity. Goya’s late work is characterized by dark psychological commentary on human nature and the instability plaguing the Spanish monarchy, reflecting a shift away from earlier Neo-Classical traditions toward the emotional intensity of early Romanticism.

The Spanish master’s skillful execution of etching combined with the broad, atmospheric effects of the aquatint technique results in deep shadows and dramatic tonal variations, lending the work a somber, dreamlike quality essential to the series’ mood. The study of prints from this series reveals the profound psychological depth Goya achieved toward the end of his career. Although the original plates date to the peak of the artist’s output, the later printing of this trial proof allows collectors and researchers today to study the subtle variations present in the posthumous editions. As a key example of Goya's graphic oeuvre, this significant piece is preserved in the collections of the National Gallery of Art, offering a publicly accessible resource for the study of these important 19th-century prints.