Artwork
Fuerte cosa es! (That's Tough!)
Fuerte cosa es! (That's Tough!) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Fuerte cosa es!
About this work
Overview
Fuerte cosa es! (That's Tough!) is a 1815 print by Francisco Goya, executed in etching, aquatint, and drypoint with burnishing on laid paper. It exemplifies Goya's use of printmaking to engage with the tumultuous political and social landscape of early 19th-century Spain.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a tense, dramatic scene by a body of water, featuring three figures: a standing man with raised arms (conveying anger or shock), a leaning man grasping a stick or weapon, and a kneeling woman looking downward. The composition captures a moment of conflict or distress, reflecting Goya's exploration of human turmoil amidst societal upheaval.
Technique & Style
Goya achieved the print's dynamic, expressive quality through a combination of techniques: etching for detailed lines, aquatint for textured tonalities, and drypoint with burnishing for enhanced depth and contrast. Quick, scratchy lines convey movement and emotion, while the rough texture imbues the scene with urgency.
History & Provenance
Created in 1815, Fuerte cosa es! is part of Goya's broader graphic output addressing contemporary Spanish events and universal human themes. The work is currently held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Context
This print was produced during a period of significant political and social turmoil in Spain, with Goya responding to these conditions through his art. His graphic works from this time often blended commentary on current events with explorations of enduring human struggles.
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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Fuerte cosa es! (That's Tough!)