Artwork

Disasters of War: It Always Happens

Disasters of War: It Always Happens, by Francisco Goya, 1815
Disasters of War: It Always Happens, by Francisco Goya, 1815

Disasters of War: It Always Happens is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Disasters of War: It Always Happens is a print by Francisco de Goya, created in 1815. It is a chaotic scene depicting people and animals struggling in turbulent water.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows a group overwhelmed by a large wave, conveying a sense of urgency and disorder. The title 'It Always Happens' suggests that the suffering caused by war is recurrent, underscoring the artist's commentary on its cyclical nature.

Technique & Style

Goya's use of rough, dark, and uneven lines creates a sense of turmoil, characteristic of his expressive style. This work is associated with Romanticism, a movement that emphasized dramatic and emotionally charged representations of human struggles.

History & Provenance

The print is now held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

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.