Artwork
Modo de volar (A Way of Flying)
Modo de volar (A Way of Flying) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Francisco Goya. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Modo de volar (A Way of Flying) is a print created by Francisco de Goya using etching, aquatint, and drypoint techniques. It is a representative work of the artist's later graphic output, characterized by dark humor and unsettling imagery.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic scene of bat-like creatures flying in a dark sky. One figure clings to a larger beast, conveying a sense of struggle and unease. The imagery is dreamlike and open to interpretation, reflecting Goya's engagement with imaginative and satirical themes.
Technique & Style
Goya employed a combination of techniques to achieve the print's eerie effect. Drypoint, in particular, allowed him to create sharp lines and shadowy tones by scratching directly into the printing plate, adding to the overall sense of unease and tension in the image.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
