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The Garroted Man

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes

Artwork Details

The Garroted Man
circa 1778-1780
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes
etching on laid paper
13 in x 8 5/16 in (33.02 cm x 21.11 cm);22 in x 18 in (55.88 cm x 45.72 cm)
Museum Purchase
1963/2.4

Description

Subject Matter:

One of Goya's first prints, and one not included in any of his published series such as the "Caprichos" or "Proverbios", this harsh scene depicts a man executed by strangulation, a form of capital punishment in Spain.
A drawing in the British Museum seems to have been used as a template for the print, as there are clear tracing marks, and seems to have been the only instance of Goya tracing a drawing for use in making a print (see Tomás Harris, "Goya, Engravings and Lithographs", San Francisco: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts, 1983, p. 41.)

Physical Description:

A man in a white robe is seated with his back against a wooden post. In his hands he holds a crucifix; the scene is illuminated by a large candlestick at the left of the image.

Usage Rights:

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