Who painted The Horrors of War: On Account of a Knife?

The Horrors of War: On Account of a Knife was painted by Francisco Goya in 1815.

Where can I see The Horrors of War: On Account of a Knife?

The Horrors of War: On Account of a Knife is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Horrors of War: On Account of a Knife?

The Horrors of War: On Account of a Knife is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Horrors of War: On Account of a Knife

Francisco Goya , 1815

The Horrors of War: On Account of a Knife 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

The work titled *The Horrors of War: On Account of a Knife* is a print created around 1815 by the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya. It is classified as a history painting and belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The image presents a stark, sketch‑like composition that emphasizes the brutality of conflict.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a solitary figure in dark, heavy garments grasping a long pole to which a bundle is tied. Behind him, numerous indistinct, shadowy forms are either kneeling or lying on the ground, suggesting victims of violence. The title points to the cruelty of war, with the knife‑related reference implying a specific act of aggression or execution.

Technique & Style

Goya employs a rapid, gestural drawing style, using simple lines and minimal shading to convey mood rather than precise detail. The uneven, rough quality of the sketch creates a sense of immediacy and tension, aligning with the artist’s tendency to prioritize emotional impact over realistic representation.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1815, the print reflects Goya’s later period, when he increasingly focused on the darker aspects of human experience. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, though the exact path of ownership before its museum entry is not extensively documented.

Context

The work belongs to the broader Romantic movement, which favored expressive, emotionally charged subjects over strict realism. Goya’s focus on the horrors of conflict anticipates later anti‑war imagery, positioning the piece within a lineage of art that uses stark visual language to critique violence.