Esto es lo verdadero (This Is the Truth)

Esto es lo verdadero (This Is the Truth) by Francisco Goya originates from a crucial and highly productive period in the artist's life, dating its conception between 1810 and 1820. Although the original plates were created during the early 19th century, this specific impression held by the National Gallery of Art is a trial proof printed posthumously in the Calcografia in 1957-58. The work displays Goya's complex integration of various intaglio techniques, including etching, aquatint, drypoint, burin, and burnisher, executed on Arches laid paper. This technical complexity allows the master printmaker to achieve deep velvety blacks and textured, corrosive surfaces, characteristics that define his most profound graphic output.

Created during a time of immense political turmoil, the piece reflects the dark, unflinching cultural commentary for which the Spanish master is renowned. Goya often utilized the medium of prints to document the suffering and brutality he witnessed during the Peninsular War era (1808-1814), placing the piece firmly within the tumultuous historical context of the 1801 to 1825 period. The graphic nature and emotional intensity of the composition distinguish this work as a powerful example of early modern printmaking.

This rare trial proof, showing variations in technique or inking from the final published state, is a significant object within the museum's holdings. The careful application of aquatint in this impression enhances the dramatic chiaroscuro, emphasizing the unsettling narrative power inherent in Goya's visual rhetoric. Due to the historical and artistic significance of these highly influential prints, works by Goya frequently become high-priority additions to public domain archives, ensuring their wide accessibility for scholarly study and general appreciation.