Que viene el Coco. 1796 - 1797

This is "Que viene el Coco", by Francisco de Goya, made using etching, aquatint and drypoint. The print shows a scene cast in stark contrasts of light and shadow. A mother and her children huddle together, terror etched on their faces, as they confront the looming figure of the "Coco", or boogeyman. Goya masterfully uses the aquatint technique to create deep, velvety blacks that intensify the feeling of dread and unease. The figure of the Coco is rendered as an amorphous mass of drapery, its form obscured and menacing. The composition destabilizes the traditional family portrait. By positioning the Coco as the focal point, Goya subverts our expectations and draws attention to the anxieties and fears that lurk beneath the surface of domestic life. This visual and thematic tension invites us to consider the darker aspects of human psychology and the ways in which societal structures perpetuate fear and control. Through this work, Goya challenges fixed notions of security, prompting a deeper engagement with the complexities of human experience.