Artwork
El caballo raptor (The Horse-Abductor)
El caballo raptor (The Horse-Abductor) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
El caballo raptor (The Horse-Abductor) is a print created by Francisco Goya using etching, burnished aquatint, and drypoint techniques. A trial proof was printed posthumously between 1854 and 1863.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic scene of a man being swept away by a galloping horse, conveying intense drama and energy. The man's contorted face and outstretched arms suggest fear and despair, while the horse's dynamic pose emphasizes its power.
Technique & Style
Goya employed bold lines and dark shading to create depth and texture, drawing the viewer's eye into the heart of the action. The use of burnished aquatint adds to the overall dark, ominous tone of the image.
History & Provenance
Created in 1816, El caballo raptor is part of Goya's oeuvre that explored human conflict and emotion, bridging the Old Masters and modern art movements.
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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Disparate pobre (Poor Folly)
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Disparate volante (Flying Folly)