Artwork

And So was His Grandfather, Plate 39

And So was His Grandfather, Plate 39, by Francisco Goya, 1799
And So was His Grandfather, Plate 39, by Francisco Goya, 1799

And So was His Grandfather, Plate 39 is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

This odd little print shows a man and his donkey on a path. The donkey wears a hat. The man wears a coat and points ahead.

Goya made these prints late in life. He used acid on metal plates to bite away shadows. That leaves light and dark in wild patches. The donkey’s hat looks like it’s melting.

If you like this strange humor, look up Francisco de Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828).

Overview

And So was His Grandfather, Plate 39 is a print by Francisco de Goya, dating to circa 1799, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a man in a coat and his donkey, wearing a hat, on a path, with the man gesturing ahead. The scene conveys a sense of bizarre humor.

Technique & Style

Goya employed an innovative technique, using acid to etch metal plates, resulting in stark, expressive contrasts of light and dark, as evident in the donkey's hat, which appears distorted.

History & Provenance

Created late in Goya's life, the work is part of a series characterized by its use of acid biting to achieve dramatic shadowing. It is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Context

This print reflects Goya's late-career experimentation with etching techniques and his penchant for surreal, often humorous, subject matter.

Legacy

The work's unique blend of technical innovation and darkly comedic themes contributes to its significance within Goya's oeuvre, appealing to those interested in the artist's eccentric and expressive late works.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Francisco Goya

Artist

Francisco Goya

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.