Artwork

The Horrors of War: They Make Use of Them

The Horrors of War:  They Make Use of Them, by Francisco Goya, 1815
The Horrors of War:  They Make Use of Them, by Francisco Goya, 1815

The Horrors of War: They Make Use of Them 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. They Make Use of Them is a print by Francisco de Goya, created around 1815, and is part of his series The Horrors of War.

About this work

Overview

They Make Use of Them is a print by Francisco de Goya, created around 1815, and is part of his series The Horrors of War. It is currently held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a chaotic battle scene with soldiers on the ground, some dead or wounded, set against a dark background with a tree and rocky terrain. The title suggests the artwork is a commentary on the brutality of war.

Technique & Style

Goya employs strong contrasts between light and shadow, a technique known as chiaroscuro, to create a dramatic and urgent atmosphere. This lighting effect highlights specific areas, such as faces and weapons, drawing attention to the intensity of the scene.

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.