Two Heads Are Better Than One: Poor Folly 18th-19th century

Editor: This etching, "Two Heads Are Better Than One: Poor Folly" by Goya, really unsettles me. The figures seem caught between worlds. What do you see in the production of this image? Curator: Goya's aquatint technique allowed for tonal gradations simulating wash drawings, but it was prone to failures. This print reveals its process clearly: see the textured surface? That's the residue of the acid biting into the plate. It speaks to the labor and risk involved in printmaking, transforming a critique of society into a physical, almost tactile experience. Editor: So the flaws are part of the story? Curator: Absolutely. They reveal the means of production and Goya’s engagement with material challenges. Think about how the commodification of prints transforms that experience for the consumer. Editor: I hadn't considered the material process as part of the artwork's message before. Thanks!