Artwork
Why Hide Them?, Plate 30
Why Hide Them?, Plate 30 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. Why Hide Them?
About this work
Overview
Why Hide Them?, Plate 30 is a print by Francisco de Goya, created around 1799. It is part of a collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a tense scene around a bedridden, suffering man. Two figures behind him hold babies and display unsettling grins, while a fourth person in a tall hat observes with an odd smile. The title 'Why hide them?' suggests the babies are significant, and Goya may be using humor and shock to highlight an uncomfortable truth.
Technique & Style
The image is characterized by a dramatic use of light and shadow, a technique known as chiaroscuro. This stylistic choice creates a sense of tension and emphasizes the emotional intensity of the scene.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
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