Volaverunt (They Have Flown)

Volaverunt (They Have Flown) is a powerful print created by Francisco Goya in 1799. This work showcases the artist’s technical mastery, employing a sophisticated combination of etching, aquatint, and drypoint on laid paper. Produced during the turbulent period of 1776 to 1800, this piece is widely known as plate 61 from Goya’s revolutionary series, Los Caprichos. This collection of eighty satirical prints critiques the follies and entrenched superstitions of contemporary Spanish society at the turn of the 19th century.

The subject of Volaverunt depicts a lone female figure, often interpreted by scholars as the Duchess of Alba, soaring through the air. She is supported by three grotesque, bat-winged male figures that assist in her improbable flight. The composition is dramatic, relying heavily on the dark, velvety tones achieved through the aquatint process, which creates a sharp contrast between the levity of the airborne figure and the oppressive darkness beneath. Goya frequently used these unsettling aerial scenes within Los Caprichos to symbolize the vanity or frivolousness of certain societal figures, contrasting them sharply with the weight of the Enlightenment values he championed. Like the other prints in the series, this image utilizes satire and fantasy to mask political and social commentary that might otherwise have resulted in censorship from the Spanish establishment.

As one of the most celebrated printmakers in history, Goya ensured that these images, though often controversial, achieved wide circulation and enduring relevance. This impressive example of the artist's works is currently housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a key representation of late 18th-century graphic art. Due to the historical significance of the piece and its age, high-quality reproductions of this artwork are often available through public domain initiatives for scholarly research and appreciation worldwide.