Who painted The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed?

The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed was painted by Francisco Goya in 1815.

Where can I see The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed?

The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed?

The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed

Francisco Goya , 1815

The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed 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

Created around 1815, this print by Francisco de Goya—titled The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed—is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a bleak, tumultuous scene in which bodies lie amid ruin, suggesting the aftermath of violent conflict.

Subject & Meaning

The foreground is populated by figures that appear lifeless or in the throes of death, while the background shows a shattered wall or building. The stark juxtaposition of human suffering against architectural collapse conveys the brutal consequences of war, inviting contemplation of its indiscriminate devastation.

Technique & Style

Goya employs a limited, somber palette and vigorous brushwork to heighten tension. Dark tones dominate, creating a chiaroscuro effect that emphasizes the morbid tableau. The composition directs the eye inward, with the clustered bodies anchoring the viewer’s focus before expanding outward to the chaotic ruin beyond.

History & Provenance

The print dates to the later period of Goya’s career, a time when he turned increasingly toward themes of conflict and human anguish. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on display as a representative example of Goya’s war-related oeuvre.