Be quick, they are waking up - Francisco Goya

A haunting etching from Francisco Goya's Los Caprichos series, depicting two grotesque figures in a moment of urgent, unsettling activity.

This etching, titled 'Despacha, que despiertan' (Be quick, they are waking up), is plate 78 from Francisco Goya's celebrated series, Los Caprichos. Published in 1799, this collection of eighty prints functions as a biting social commentary on the follies and vices of Spanish society during the late eighteenth century. Goya utilised the combination of etching and aquatint to achieve dramatic tonal contrasts, which heighten the unsettling atmosphere of his subjects.

The image depicts two grotesque, witch-like figures hunched over a table. One figure appears to be frantically preparing a meal or a concoction, while the other leans forward, their features distorted and skeletal. The title serves as a warning, suggesting a sense of urgency or impending discovery. Goya often employed such imagery to critique the ignorance, superstition, and corruption he observed in the church and the aristocracy. The figures are rendered with expressive, jagged lines that emphasise their decaying appearance and the moral rot they represent.

Technically, the work demonstrates Goya's mastery of the aquatint process. He creates a murky, shadow-filled environment that traps the figures in a claustrophobic space. The composition is stark, focusing entirely on the interaction between the two characters and their grim task. By stripping away unnecessary background detail, Goya forces the viewer to confront the absurdity and darkness of the scene. This print remains a powerful example of the artist's ability to blend social satire with a personal, often nightmarish, vision of the human condition. It is a stark reminder of the artist's role as a critical observer of his time, unafraid to expose the uncomfortable truths hidden beneath the surface of polite society.