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

Curator: This is one of Francisco Goya's unsettling etchings, titled "Of What Malady Will He Die?". Editor: Well, it certainly has a grim atmosphere. The stark lines create a sense of unease, with that donkey-headed doctor examining the patient. Curator: Indeed. Goya was a master of social commentary, and this piece likely satirizes the incompetence and corruption within the medical profession of his time, with its implications for class. Editor: I see the production quality in its lines, but the materials appear very basic. Could the printmaking here point to a wider commentary on accessible critique? Curator: Absolutely. Goya’s art was a mirror reflecting the anxieties of a society on the brink. It questions systems of power. Editor: Yes. In this case, the artist's critique has a lasting quality given that it touches on themes of healthcare and inequality. Curator: Absolutely. A powerful reminder that some struggles persist through time.