Who painted The Horrors of War: The Healthy and the Sick?

The Horrors of War: The Healthy and the Sick was painted by Francisco Goya in 1815.

Where can I see The Horrors of War: The Healthy and the Sick?

The Horrors of War: The Healthy and the Sick is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Horrors of War: The Healthy and the Sick?

The Horrors of War: The Healthy and the Sick is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Horrors of War: The Healthy and the Sick

Francisco Goya , 1815

The Horrors of War: The Healthy and the Sick 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: The Healthy and the Sick—is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. It belongs to Goya’s series of works that confront the human cost of conflict, rendered in a compact, narrative format typical of his later prints.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts four figures in a rain‑soaked setting: a wounded individual lies on a stretcher, a lantern‑bearer stands nearby, another figure sits on the ground looking upward, and a fourth leans over the patient, suggesting assistance. The title juxtaposes health and illness, underscoring the stark contrast between those who survive and those who suffer in wartime.

Technique & Style

Goya employs pronounced chiaroscuro, using a single lantern’s glow to carve out the figures against a dark, indistinct background. The heavy rain and blurred surroundings heighten the sense of isolation, while the stark light‑dark contrast intensifies the emotional tension of the scene.

History & Provenance

The work was produced in the aftermath of the Peninsular War, a period when Goya turned increasingly to graphic media to document the devastation he witnessed. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, joining a broader collection of his prints.

Context

Part of a larger body of war‑related imagery, this print reflects Goya’s shift from court portraiture to socially engaged art. It aligns with his other anti‑war statements, such as the series Disasters of War, and illustrates his concern for the civilian experience of conflict.