Artwork

The Horrors of War: One Can't Look

The Horrors of War:  One Can't Look, by Francisco Goya, 1815
The Horrors of War:  One Can't Look, by Francisco Goya, 1815

The Horrors of War: One Can't Look 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 Horrors of War: One Can't Look is a print by Francisco de Goya, created in 1815. It is a black-and-white work held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a chaotic and dark scene with figures in rough clothing, some bent over or lying on the ground, while one covers their face. The title suggests the scene is a commentary on the horrors of war, conveying a sense of urgency and emotion.

Technique & Style

Dramatic lighting, with a sliver of light from the top right, creates a tense and shadowy atmosphere, emphasizing the emotional impact of the scene.

Context

This work is associated with the Romanticism movement, which often explored themes of emotion, drama, and social commentary.

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.