Que valor! (What Courage!)

Que valor! (What Courage!) by Francisco Goya is a complex and nuanced example of printmaking, executed using a demanding combination of techniques including etching, aquatint, drypoint, engraving, and burnishing. Although the design originated with the celebrated Spanish master decades earlier, this specific impression was published in 1863, placing its production within the 1851 to 1875 period. This posthumous publication date is characteristic of many of Goya’s influential series of prints, which were frequently released in subsequent editions long after the artist’s death in 1828.

Goya’s graphic works are renowned for their biting social commentary and technical innovation. His practice elevated the medium of prints from simple reproductive illustration to a primary vehicle for satire and political critique. While the visual details of Que valor! are crucial to its interpretation, the title itself suggests a theme of heroism, perseverance, or perhaps the tragic consequence of misplaced bravery—a frequent thread woven through the artist's engagement with the violence and political strife that marked the turn of the nineteenth century in Spanish history.

The technical density of the work is evident in the careful layering of processes. Etching provides the foundational linear structure, while aquatint is utilized to render broad, painterly tones and atmospheric depth. The subtle variation in light and shadow is further achieved through the use of drypoint for rich burr effects and burnishing to lighten specific areas of the plate. Reproducing Goya's complex tonal studies required considerable skill from the printers executing these later editions.

This specific impression of Que valor! is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of Goya’s vision and provides scholars a vital example of Spanish graphic art executed during the mid-nineteenth century.