Modo de volar (A Way of Flying)

Modo de volar (A Way of Flying) is a profoundly unsettling print created by Francisco Goya, rendered using a combination of etching, aquatint, and drypoint techniques. While Goya died in 1828, this specific impression was published in 1864, classifying it as a Spanish print created during the 1851 to 1875 period, likely as part of the posthumous editions of the series Los Disparates (The Follies). Goya's mastery of the aquatint process gives the print its intense darkness, utilizing deep, velvety blacks to establish a nocturnal or atmospheric setting.

The subject matter depicts figures, seemingly bound or weighted, awkwardly attempting flight. Their heavy, voluminous garments and the visible effort of their ascent suggest a critique of irrationality or the impossible dreams of humanity. Unlike the grace often associated with mythological flight, the individuals in Modo de volar appear trapped within a cycle of futility. Goya’s late graphic works often explored themes of political corruption, madness, and social folly, reflecting the anxieties of early 19th-century Spain. This piece continues that tradition, presenting an ambiguous, dream-like vision that resists simple narrative explanation.

As a signature example of the artist’s graphic legacy, this work highlights Goya’s enduring influence on subsequent generations of artists exploring the subconscious and the grotesque. The complexity of these final prints confirms his status as a revolutionary figure in Spanish art. This particular example of Modo de volar is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars and the public an opportunity to study one of the most powerful prints created during the 1851 to 1875 period.