Artwork
Los ensacados (The Men in Sacks)
Los ensacados (The Men in Sacks) 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
Los ensacados (The Men in Sacks) is a print created by Francisco Goya in 1816 using etching and burnished aquatint techniques.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a procession of figures shrouded in sackcloth, conveying a sense of unease and dehumanization. The identity of the figures and the contents of the sacks are ambiguous, adding to the overall tension.
Technique & Style
Goya employed burnished aquatint to achieve smooth tones and textured effects, while etching provided detailed lines. The combination of these techniques created a somber, mysterious atmosphere.
Context
This work is part of Goya's later output, characterized by critical engagement with social and political issues, likely influenced by the turmoil of the Peninsular War and its aftermath.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
Sanan cuchilladas mas no malas palabras (Wounds Heal Quicker than Hasty Words)
The Proverbs: Wounds Heal Quicker Than Hasty Words
Disparate de miedo (Folly of Fear)
The Proverbs: Loyalty
Disparate general (General Folly)
Disparate desordenado (Disorderly Folly)
La lealtad (Loyalty)
Disparate desordenado (Disorderly Folly)
Dios los cria y ellos se juntan (God Creates Them and They Join Up Together)