The Disasters of War

During my analysis of Goya’s works and life, I found another interesting collection of murals called the Disasters of War. During this time in about 1810, Goya lived in an isolated home, deaf and emotionally scarred from what he had witnessed in the war that just occurred. Goya had just witnessed the devastation that the people of Spain suffered when Napoleans armies came through Spain and established a new king. After being a witness to the war, Goya changed his outlook on humanity and painted the Black Paintings. But before that, he had to make sure no one forgot the brutality and savagery that happened during the Peninsular War (1808-1814). He made a set of 80 aquatint prints titled The Disasters of War each depicting a scene from the Peninsular War. Goya holds nothing back when detailing the gruesome war. For example, in a painting called The same thing Goya a Spaniard soldier, most likely a civilian since he is dressed in civilian clothing and not a soldier uniform, is raising an axe high above his head. He is about to bring the axe down and end the life of a French soldier. The French soldier is raising one hand up as if it would block the axe and he is still holding on to the sword on his other hand. The French has a look of horror and terror. Meanwhile there are other corpses on the ground. The face of the Spaniard assailant is one of horror as well. He looks terrified even though he is the one that is going to kill the French not the other way around. Why does Goya choose to depict the Spanish soldier like that? Shouldn’t he be a proud, brave warrior since he is slaughtering the enemy? Anyways it is a good print and a good addition to his collection.