FRANCISCO DE GOYA - DEVOTED PROFESSION (LOS CAPRICHOS, Nº 70) - 1918

Subject: Original engraving by Goya from the first half of the 20th century. Tenth edition. The Caprichos - Francisco de Goya.

Publication: Madrid, Real Calcografía, 1918. 10th edition. 

Technique: Aguafuerte, aguatinta y punta seca. Beveled. Black and white with sepia tones on laid paper that looks similar to the first edition. Watermarked paper (Portrait of Goya with hat) Numbered in the upper right corner with 70. Title in plate in the lower part. This edition is very well printed and is the best after the fourth edition, the plates have been cleaned and cleaned and the printing has been improved.

Size: 21,5 x 15 cm [print], 33'5 x 26'5 cm [paper].

Description: A young, long-eared apprentice witch is mounted on the shoulders of a satyr sitting on his goat-like hindquarters on the ground. In front of her, standing tall, are two large-eared figures wearing mitered, sharply folded cloaks, who place a book before the apprentice and hold it in tongs. Below emerge two heads with closed eyes and half-open mouths. Both the young witch and the four figures taking part in this ceremony have a stern, concentrated attitude that speaks of the solemnity of this moment.

In the manuscript in the Prado Museum, the following is written about this engraving: "You swear to obey and respect your teachers and superiors? Do you sweep, spin cloth, play rattles, howl, howl, shout, fly, stew, smear, suck, cook, fry, every time you are commanded? I swear. Well, daughter, you are already a witch. Be in ora buena". This interpretation suggests that Goya has depicted the oath that a neophyte swears before her superiors, confirming her entry into the world of witchcraft.

Conservation: Good impression.

References: T., Harris, Goya: Engravings and Lithographs.