It will be the same, plate 21 from The Disasters of War Possibly 1810 - 1863

Editor: We're looking at "It will be the same," plate 21 from *The Disasters of War* by Francisco de Goya, possibly created between 1810 and 1863. It’s an etching and print on paper. I'm struck by how the bodies are arranged, this stark contrast between the inert figures and those struggling to carry them. What do you see in Goya’s formal choices here? Curator: Note the distribution of light and shadow. The artist masterfully uses the etching technique to generate intense areas of darkness, concentrating our gaze on the pallid bodies. Consider, too, the orthogonals created by the ground plane – these lines subtly guide our vision and deepen the sense of perspective within this shallow pictorial space. Observe how these shapes construct the piece. What compositional elements jump out at you? Editor: The sharp angles of the limbs and clothing create tension. I hadn’t thought about it before, but the way the figures are packed together also communicates some urgent distress. Is it the chaos in the moment, translated by those choices of form and shape? Curator: Precisely. The compression of the figures, along with the restricted tonal range, certainly amplifies that sensation. Do you notice how Goya creates that tonal range, through the line work? Editor: Yes! It is the depth of the etching that suggests how he could add value and density of forms to make this more impactful. So that darkness becomes a tangible element, heightening the emotional impact without relying on color. Curator: An astute observation! Ultimately, our attention is directed to the intrinsic relationships between line, form, and composition. These create that unified aesthetic effect that is greater than the sum of its parts. Editor: I see how focusing on those formal qualities reveals so much about the artwork's meaning, even without a specific narrative. I’ll definitely look closer at an artist's technique when decoding imagery. Curator: Indeed, that concentrated attention enriches and deepens our appreciation.