Estan Calientes (They Are Hot)

Estan Calientes (They Are Hot) is a significant satirical print created by Francisco Goya in 1799, executed using etching and aquatint with burnishing on laid paper. This powerful graphic work is Plate 13 from Goya’s seminal series, Los Caprichos, a collection of eighty satirical prints dedicated to exposing the "numerous eccentricities and follies" found in contemporary Spanish society.

Goya utilized the complex medium of etching and aquatint to achieve dramatic effects, combining the fine, precise lines of the etching needle for structure with the granular, tonal washes of aquatint for atmosphere. This demanding technique, often enhanced by hand burnishing, allowed the artist to define the satirical and often grotesque figures with stark clarity, creating high contrasts between light and shadow that underscore the unsettling nature of the series.

Created at the close of the 18th century, the series reflects the turbulent intellectual ferment of the Enlightenment period, placing Goya among the most critical artists working in the era spanning 1776 to 1800. The rapid advancements in printing technology during this timeframe were crucial, enabling Goya’s commentary on superstition, ignorance, and flawed authority to circulate widely among the Spanish populace despite the controversy generated by the work.

This important example of Spanish graphic arts, demonstrating Goya’s mastery of the printmaking process, is maintained in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. As with many canonical historical prints, high-quality images of this masterwork are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring broad access to Goya’s incisive social commentary.