A charlatan extracting a tooth from a patient’s mouth, figure in the foreground vomiting 1796 - 1798

Francisco Goya created this wash drawing with ink, likely iron gall ink, which was commonly used at the time for its permanence and dark color. The material here is critical. Ink allows for spontaneous, fluid lines that vividly capture the scene's raw energy and grotesque reality. This wasn't just a neutral record, but a social critique, using the inherent qualities of the ink to amplify the drama. Notice how Goya uses stark contrasts and quick strokes to depict the charlatan's theatrical performance, juxtaposed with the patient's agony and the reactions of the onlookers. The fluid nature of the ink allows for these immediate, almost visceral reactions to be translated onto paper. Ultimately, Goya's choice of material and technique reflects a desire to expose the human condition. It makes us consider how even the simplest materials, wielded skillfully, can carry profound social commentary and artistic expression, blurring the lines between craft, art, and social critique.