Artwork
There is Plenty to Suck, Plate 45
There is Plenty to Suck, Plate 45 is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
There is Plenty to Suck, Plate 45, a print by Francisco de Goya from 1799, is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a huddled group of people in simple attire, their faces contorted in pain or despair, set against a dark, faintly lit background. A basket of fruit in the foreground contrasts with the overall somber mood, evoking themes of hardship and sorrow.
Technique & Style
Goya employs a stark contrast between light and dark, with faint illumination highlighting the figures against an ominous backdrop, characteristic of the emerging Romantic movement's emphasis on emotion and contrast.
History & Provenance
Created in 1799, the print is now held in the permanent collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art, with its provenance tracing back to the artist's production during a pivotal moment in his career.
Context
Part of the Romanticism movement, this work reflects Goya's exploration of human suffering and the everyday struggles of the common people, a departure from the more optimistic themes prevalent in preceding artistic movements.
Legacy
As part of Goya's oeuvre, There is Plenty to Suck, Plate 45 contributes to the artist's influence on the development of Romanticism and the broader representation of social hardship in art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
