This is How it Happened, plate 47 from The Disasters of War Possibly 1812 - 1863

"This is How it Happened," plate 47 from "The Disasters of War" is an etching made by Francisco de Goya. He was a court painter turned war critic, who created this series of prints in response to the Peninsular War in Spain. The print depicts the aftermath of a violent act; two figures in ornate clothing stand behind a wooden barrier, casually observing a kneeling man below. The print suggests an unsettling class division. Goya unflinchingly shows us how those in power can remain detached from the suffering they inflict. The emotional weight of this piece lies in the man’s posture. Bent over and head in his hands, he is the picture of despair. Goya’s work challenges traditional heroic depictions of war. These alternative narratives make visible the brutal realities of conflict. Consider how Goya captures the stark contrast between those who perpetrate violence and those who suffer its consequences. This print leaves us to reflect on the human capacity for cruelty and the emotional scars of war.