Si es delinquente qe. muera presto (If He is Guilty, Let Him Die Quickly)

Si es delinquente qe. muera presto (If He is Guilty, Let Him Die Quickly) by Francisco Goya is a searing example of Spanish graphic artistry from the early 19th century. Dating to approximately 1810, the work belongs to a crucial period of Goya’s career when he dedicated his skills to documenting the profound human suffering caused by the Napoleonic invasion of Spain. This specific impression, housed within the National Gallery of Art’s collection of important prints, is classified as an etching, rendered here as a valuable trial proof that was printed posthumously before 1859.

The medium of etching, with its capacity for deep, dramatic tonal contrasts and sharp lines, perfectly suited Goya’s need to convey the brutality of war and summary justice. The stark composition captures the chilling reality suggested by the title: the rapid and often arbitrary dispatch of the accused. The piece avoids the heroism typically associated with military art, instead focusing on the victim and the immediate consequences of conflict.

Goya created this work during a crucial moment in art history, the period spanning 1801 to 1825, when traditional patronage structures were collapsing and artists felt compelled to address societal trauma directly. His unflinching commitment to documenting these horrors established him as a master chronicler of the darker side of human nature.

The uncompromising power inherent in this work demonstrates Goya’s technical virtuosity and moral clarity. While the finished edition was not published widely until decades after its creation, the intensity of Si es delinquente qe. muera presto ensures its continued significance as one of the most important images in the history of war art. This piece resides within the National Gallery of Art, forming part of a collection committed to making high-quality images of artworks of historical significance, including this masterwork, available for public domain use.