Artwork
Disasters of War: That's Tough
Disasters of War: That's Tough 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
The man in the foreground seems to be in the middle of a fight, with his sword raised and his body tense.
This image shows a man in white pants and a dark jacket, holding a sword in his right hand. He's standing in front of a group of people, with one person on the ground and another holding a flag. The background is dark, with some trees and a cloudy sky.
The man in the foreground seems to be in the middle of a fight, with his sword raised and his body tense. The people around him are reacting to the situation, with some looking scared or worried.
The artist who created this image is Francisco de Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828).
Overview
Disasters of War: That's Tough is an etching by Francisco de Goya, dated to 1815. The work is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic scene of conflict. A central figure, clad in white pants and a dark jacket, brandishes a sword amidst a group of people. One individual lies on the ground, while another holds a flag, suggesting a context of political or military upheaval. The tense poses and fearful expressions convey the brutality and distress of war.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, Goya's piece features a predominantly dark background with silhouetted trees against a cloudy sky, contrasting with the more defined figures in the foreground. The bold, expressive lines and the emphasis on chiaroscuro are characteristic of Goya's innovative and emotionally charged approach to printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created in 1815, during a period of significant turmoil in Spain, the etching is one of Goya's works from the series 'Disasters of War', which critiques the atrocities of the Napoleonic Wars and their aftermath. The piece is now held in the permanent collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
The Horrors of War: That's Tough!
The Disasters of War: And There's No Help for it
The Horrors of War: There Isn't Time Now
The Horrors of War: Get them Well and On to the Next
The Horrors of War: One Can't Tell Why
The Horrors of War: They Do Not Know The Way
Disasters of War: Pl., 3, The Same (Thing)
Disasters of War: There isn't Time Now