Who painted Caritas (Charity)?

Caritas (Charity) was painted by Francisco Goya.

Where can I see Caritas (Charity)?

Caritas (Charity) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Caritas (Charity)?

Caritas (Charity) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Caritas (Charity)

Francisco Goya

Caritas (Charity) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Caritas is a small print executed in both etching and drypoint on thin laid paper.

About this work

Overview

Caritas is a small print executed in both etching and drypoint on thin laid paper. The image shows an aged, bearded figure cloaked in dark garments, his head partially covered by a hood, and a staff held in his right hand. The composition is set against a uniform dark background, emphasizing the solitary presence of the man and the contemplative mood of the work.

Subject & Meaning

The print presents a solitary elder, his gaze directed outward, suggesting introspection or a moral stance. The title, Charity, links the figure to the virtue of giving, a theme Goya revisited in several works that probe social relations and human compassion. The subdued expression and stark setting invite viewers to consider the quiet dignity of charitable acts.

Technique & Style

Combining the incised lines of drypoint with the broader tonal possibilities of etching, Goya achieves a rich texture that conveys both the roughness of the figure’s clothing and the softness of his facial features. The fine, densely worked lines create depth, while the dark ground of the paper intensifies contrast, hallmarks of Goya’s printmaking practice during the Romantic period.

History & Provenance

Although Goya created the original design in the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century, this impression belongs to a later second edition, likely printed between 1920 and 1930. The reissue reflects continued interest in Goya’s graphic oeuvre and the practice of reprinting his plates for new audiences during the early twentieth century.

Context

Produced at a time when Goya was redefining Spanish art, Caritas aligns with his broader engagement with social commentary through prints. The work follows his earlier series such as Los Caprichos, where he used the medium to critique society. Its Romantic sensibility, marked by emotional intensity and individual focus, situates the piece within the shifting artistic currents of Goya’s era.