Y aun no se van! (And Still They Don't Go!)

Y aun no se van! (And Still They Don't Go!) by Francisco Goya is a masterful example of late eighteenth-century Spanish printmaking, executed in 1799. This powerful image demonstrates the artist's command over complex techniques, combining etching, aquatint, and engraving with meticulous burnishing on laid paper to achieve intense tonal contrasts and dramatic effect. Created at the close of the period 1776 to 1800, this work is typically associated with Los Caprichos, Goya's renowned series of satirical prints that targeted the follies, superstitions, and political corruption of Spanish society.

The title, which translates to a stubborn refusal to leave, encapsulates the theme of persistent ignorance or antiquated customs that Goya sought to expose. By utilizing deep aquatint washes, Goya generates a nocturnal atmosphere that shrouds the figures in shadow, intensifying the disturbing and often grotesque elements of the scene. This manipulation of light and darkness is characteristic of the shift in the culture towards Enlightenment ideals, even while critiquing the society that clung to its medieval fears and rigid social structures. The detailed lines of the engraving and etching emphasize the expressions of the figures, lending narrative clarity to the satirical critique.

Goya’s graphic output from this time represents a pinnacle of artistic expression during the transition to modernity, exploring universal human weaknesses while maintaining a specific cultural relevance. The depth and precision achieved in this print showcase the technical innovation Goya brought to the medium. This superb impression of Y aun no se van! (And Still They Don’t Go!) is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it serves as a critical document of the Spanish master’s genius. Today, high-resolution prints of Goya’s work from this pivotal series are often available through public domain initiatives, allowing for broad access to these foundational examples of social commentary.