Por que? (Why?)

Por que? (Why?) by Francisco Goya is a profound example of 19th-century Spanish prints, executed using a sophisticated combination of etching, lavis, drypoint, burin, and burnisher. Though Goya passed away in 1828, this particular impression dates to the 1851 to 1875 period, suggesting it is a later edition pulled from the original or reworked plates. The printmaking techniques employed highlight Goya’s mastery of tonal effects, utilizing lavis, a form of wash applied to the etching plate, to achieve deep shadow and dramatic contrast. This technical depth is characteristic of the artist's darkest and most politically charged work.

This specific piece, classified simply as a print, embodies the dark psychological and social undercurrents often found in the Spanish master's graphic output. The scene implied by the title, Por que?, suggests a moment of interrogation, despair, or perhaps witnessing an injustice. The use of drypoint creates a characteristic velvety burr around the lines, adding a palpable texture that emphasizes the chaotic and emotionally charged nature of the composition. Goya uses light (or the absence thereof) not merely for illumination but as a tool for drawing the viewer into a space of moral inquiry and ambiguity. The dramatic tension and unsettling atmosphere are hallmarks of this specific type of Spanish graphic art.

This impression of the work is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a critical example of late Goya graphic series, even if printed posthumously in the 1860s. The continuation of editions well into the 1851 to 1875 era ensured that Goya’s influential commentary on human folly, war, and political injustice reached a wide audience. As one of the most significant Spanish artists of the modern age, Goya’s powerful visual language remains highly influential, and high-resolution images of these historic prints are often accessible to the public domain through major institutional databases.