Francisco Goya (1746–1828) remains one of the most influential printmakers in Western art history. His etchings, often combined with aquatint, broke from the decorative print traditions of his time to explore satire, war and the darker corners of the human imagination.
His major print series — Los Caprichos (1799), Los Desastres de la Guerra (created circa 1810–1820, first published in 1863), La Tauromaquia (1816) and Los Disparates — established etching and aquatint as vehicles for personal and political expression rather than pure reproduction.
Because the copper plates for these series survived Goya and passed into institutional hands (many are now held by the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid), later editions were printed well after his death. This matters for collectors: an impression's edition and state affects clarity of line, plate tone and overall condition, and lifetime or early posthumous impressions are generally considered more significant than later reprintings.
When considering a Goya print, collectors typically look at: the specific plate and series, the edition or printing (first edition versus later Calcografía Nacional reprints), paper type and watermark, margins and trimming, and any restoration or foxing. Provenance and cataloguing by a reputable auction house or dealer are essential for authentication.
Speak to our team if you would like guidance on identifying a specific Goya edition or state, or on the condition factors that matter most when evaluating a print for your collection.
