Old Man on a Swing

Old Man on a Swing by Francisco Goya is a profound example of the artist's late graphic production, with the original plate designed and executed during his self-imposed exile in Bordeaux, circa 1826-1828. As a print, the work displays Goya’s characteristic mastery of combining disparate techniques to achieve heightened dramatic effect.

This particular impression utilizes etching, burnished aquatint, and potentially lavis on heavy laid paper. Goya’s careful manipulation of the aquatint process allowed him to create dense, velvety shadows and stark contrasts of light, emphasizing the unsettling atmosphere of the scene. Although the original plate was created toward the end of Goya’s life, this print was struck posthumously in 1859 in the Calcografia, specifically commissioned for John Saville Lumley, confirming its presence and influence within the crucial 1826 to 1850 period of European graphic art history.

The subject matter, implied by the title, features an aged figure precariously balanced on a swing, suggesting themes of instability, social folly, or the vulnerability inherent in advancing age. Such allegorical compositions were typical of Goya’s output following his major satirical series. Reflecting the complex cultural landscape of the era, the work reveals the darker, more introspective side of Spanish art in the early nineteenth century.

This carefully preserved impression resides within the collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering valuable insight into the final creative years of the artist. Goya’s prolific output of prints ensured his visions reached a wide audience, and today, many of his major graphic works are widely accessible through resources and collections that fall into the public domain.