Los caprichos

work by Francisco Goya

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June 22, 2026

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Los caprichos is a series of 80 etchings created by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya. Published in 1799, these prints are a powerful critique of societal abuses, targeting political, social, and religious corruption. Goya employed a satirical and often grotesque style, drawing inspiration from popular caricature but infusing it with his unique imagination and technical skill. He masterfully used aquatint to create dramatic tonal effects, giving the series a striking vitality. Despite Goya's announcement that the themes were drawn from common societal "extravagances and follies," the works were likely understood as veiled references to specific individuals and were withdrawn from sale shortly after their release. Goya later presented the plates to the king in exchange for a pension for his son.12

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caricature and cartoon
Spain
His “Caprichos” (1796–98), etchings prepared by some of the most simple and trenchant brush drawings ever made, appeared in the last years of the 18th century and can be called comedies of manners only insofar as they are related to folk sayings and the bittersweet Spanish…
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His “Caprichos” (1796–98), etchings prepared by some of the most simple and trenchant brush drawings ever made, appeared in the last years of the 18th century and can be called comedies of manners only insofar as they are related to folk sayings and the bittersweet Spanish…
Read More

Francisco Goya
Period under Charles IV
In Los caprichos, a series of 80 etchings published in 1799, he attacked political, social, and religious abuses, adopting the popular imagery of caricature, which he enriched with highly original qualities of invention. Goya’s masterly use of the recently developed technique of aquatint for tonal effects…
Read More
In Los caprichos, a series of 80 etchings published in 1799, he attacked political, social, and religious abuses, adopting the popular imagery of caricature, which he enriched with highly original qualities of invention. Goya’s masterly use of the recently developed technique of aquatint for tonal effects…
Read More

printmaking
Spain
The first, Los caprichos (published 1799; “Caprices,” or “Follies”), consists of 80 enigmatic prints commenting on all phases of life. In 1810 he began the 82 plates of The Disasters of War, a strong visual protest against the brutality of war. After this came La tauromaquia (1815–16),…
Read More
The first, Los caprichos (published 1799; “Caprices,” or “Follies”), consists of 80 enigmatic prints commenting on all phases of life. In 1810 he began the 82 plates of The Disasters of War, a strong visual protest against the brutality of war. After this came La tauromaquia (1815–16),…
Read More