Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot)

Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot) by Francisco Goya, executed in 1816, is a powerful example of the artist’s mastery of graphic arts during his later period. This print showcases a complex and layered technical execution, combining etching, burnished aquatint, drypoint, and burin to achieve dramatic contrasts and textural depth. As a first edition impression, the work retains the full intensity of the original plate, demonstrating Goya's ability to manipulate light and shadow through diverse printmaking methods.

This piece was created during the Spanish period spanning 1801 to 1825, a time marked by immense political and social upheaval that heavily influenced Goya’s thematic evolution. While the classification suggests a specific portfolio, the work shares the enigmatic quality and dark satire often found in his most renowned series of prints, reflecting the artist’s disillusionment with human irrationality and the violence witnessed in Spain. Goya utilized the burnished aquatint technique extensively to manipulate the tonal field, effectively shrouding his figures in darkness to enhance the psychological tension inherent in the scene.

The composition itself, titled Otro modo de cazar a pie, offers a unique and open-ended commentary, consistent with Goya's move toward personal expression rather than mere illustration. The artist’s revolutionary approach cemented his position as a pivotal figure in European art history. This significant Spanish print, which captures the raw emotional power of Goya’s work, is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Its enduring legacy ensures that high-quality images and prints of this late masterwork are often found in public domain collections globally, serving as a crucial reference for the study of 19th-century printmaking.