Que valor! (What Courage!)

Que valor! (What Courage!) by Francisco Goya is a profound print executed using a complex array of intaglio techniques: etching, aquatint, drypoint, engraving, and burnishing on wove paper. Although the plates for the image were conceived and etched much earlier by the artist, this specific impression was published posthumously around 1863, placing its distribution firmly within the 1851 to 1875 period. This Spanish work reflects the enduring legacy of Goya, whose social and political critiques found potent expression through the repeatable, democratic form of graphic art.

The sophisticated combination of media provides exceptional texture and tonal variation. Goya’s skillful use of etching establishes the foundational lines, while the broad, evocative shadows created by the aquatint technique lend the composition its dramatic tension. Further refinements through drypoint and engraving add precise detail and intensify the deep blacks, culminating in an image that is emotionally immediate. The burnishing process further allowed Goya to manipulate and soften certain areas of tone, demonstrating a comprehensive mastery unique among printmakers of his time.

This masterwork, titled for its implied subject of bravery or resilience, showcases Goya’s characteristic interest in human behavior under duress. As a key example of historical Spanish graphic arts, the piece offers valuable insight into the evolving political and social climate of the mid-nineteenth century. The delicate balancing of multiple printmaking processes in Que valor! demonstrates Goya's unparalleled command of the graphic arts. This exceptional work resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Today, high-quality examples of Goya’s graphic work, like this one, are often available through public domain resources, ensuring their ongoing scholarly access.