Tanto y mas (Even Worse)

Tanto y mas (Even Worse) by Francisco Goya is a powerful example of 19th-century Spanish printmaking, executed using the complex interplay of etching, lavis, and burin. Though the artist passed away decades earlier in 1828, this print is dated 1863, placing its physical production within the important period of 1851 to 1875, when the posthumous publication of Goya’s graphic works firmly established his legacy as a father of modern artistic expression.

Goya’s graphic output consistently served as a vehicle for unsparing social and political critique. The title, "Even Worse," suggests a continuation of human suffering or political disillusionment, typical of his earlier, highly influential series like The Disasters of War. The technical complexity of the medium enhances the scene’s emotional weight. Etching provided the essential line structure, while the application of lavis, a method involving the use of acid washes to create subtle tonal shifts, generates the dark, brooding atmosphere. Detail is sharpened through the careful use of the burin, or engraving tool, emphasizing key elements and textures within the composition.

As a significant example of Spanish graphic art from the mid-19th century, this piece demonstrates the enduring power of Goya’s visual vocabulary. The continued circulation and study of his prints during this period ensured that his unflinching examinations of human depravity and institutional failure remained relevant to European thought.

This print is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of the age and nature of these essential graphic works, many Goya prints have entered the public domain, allowing scholars and institutions worldwide to study and disseminate the master’s unique vision. Tanto y mas (Even Worse) remains a crucial touchstone for understanding Goya's mastery of the printed image.