Artwork
Hobgoblins, Plate 49
Hobgoblins, Plate 49 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
Overview
Hobgoblins, Plate 49 is a print by Francisco de Goya, dating to approximately 1799, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts three bizarre figures in a dimly lit room, their unusual attire and postures (one with outstretched arms, another holding a cup, and a third hunched on the floor) suggesting they might be interpreted as either ominous or whimsical beings, as implied by the title.
Technique & Style
Goya employed quick, rough lines to create exaggerated forms, contributing to the figures' unnatural appearance and emphasizing the imaginative, potentially humorous or eerie, quality of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created around 1799, the work is part of Goya's broader exploration of the human condition and the supernatural during this period. Its presence in The Cleveland Museum of Art reflects its significance within Goya's oeuvre.
Context
This work aligns with the emerging Romantic movement, which valued the power of imagination and the exploration of the unknown or the bizarre, often blurring the lines between the serious and the grotesque.
Legacy
Hobgoblins, Plate 49 contributes to Goya's legacy as a pioneer in exploring the darker, more imaginative aspects of human experience through art, influencing subsequent artistic movements.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
