Esto es lo verdadero (This Is the Truth)

Esto es lo verdadero (This Is the Truth) by Francisco Goya is a profound example of Spanish printmaking created during the tumultuous period of 1810-1820. This era, falling within the years 1801 to 1825, saw Goya respond directly to the political and social upheaval gripping Spain, transforming the art of graphic satire into a devastating critique of human nature.

The work is a technically sophisticated print, realized through a combination of etching, aquatint, drypoint, burin, and burnisher, printed in umber ink on laid paper. Goya’s mastery of these diverse processes allowed him to achieve deep textural contrasts and exceptional atmospheric density. The graphic intensity evident in this piece reflects Goya's late style, where the artist moved away from classical ideals toward a more immediate and often stark portrayal of reality. The detailed layering of etching and drypoint ensures crisp lines, contrasted sharply by the tonal wash effects provided by the aquatint. The selection of umber ink, rather than standard black, imparts a unique warmth and sepia tone to the impression.

Notably, this particular impression is identified as a trial proof, printed posthumously around 1870 either by Lefort or within the Calcografia, decades after the artist's death. The survival of trial proofs provides invaluable insight into the prolific complexity of Goya’s printmaking practice and his meticulous refinement of imagery. While the original context of the print is often open to interpretation, Goya consistently used the medium of prints to offer uncompromising commentary on folly, superstition, and institutional abuse. The fact that many of Goya’s most critical prints were only formally printed and distributed decades later underscores the radical nature of his vision, which was frequently considered too politically sensitive for immediate publication in the early 19th century. This significant work resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, forming a crucial part of the institution’s holdings of Spanish master prints.