Of What Malady Will He Die? 18th-19th century

Editor: This etching is titled "Of What Malady Will He Die?" by Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes, found here at Harvard Art Museums. There's something so unsettling about the image of a donkey, dressed as a doctor, attending to a patient. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This image, an etching, implicates the means of production and its reach in society. Goya criticizes the structures of power, perhaps using etching to broaden the message. How does the mass production and distribution of such an image challenge traditional social hierarchies by demystifying professional authority? Editor: That's fascinating! I never thought about the impact of the etching process itself, that creates access to art for many. Curator: Yes, consider how Goya's choice of materials and techniques—the very act of reproducing this scene—becomes a commentary on the societal ills he depicts. Does making it easily accessible change how we see it? Editor: It gives me so much to think about regarding the intersection of art, production, and social critique! Curator: Indeed, recognizing art as a product reflecting societal structure offers rich new avenues for understanding its meaning and impact.