Harvest of the dead, plate 63 from The Disasters of War Possibly 1812 - 1863

"Harvest of the Dead," an etching by Francisco de Goya, is part of "The Disasters of War" series which he created between 1810 and 1820. Goya lived through the tumultuous period of the Napoleonic Wars and the subsequent social and political upheavals in Spain. This print depicts a stark and grim scene, a pile of corpses in the aftermath of conflict, a direct response to the atrocities he witnessed during the Peninsular War. Goya captured the emotional and physical toll of war on the Spanish people. His work reflects the influence of the Enlightenment ideals emphasizing human rights and justice, whilst expressing his despair and disillusionment. The artist once said, “I have witnessed it all,” implying that art can act as a powerful witness to historical truth. The print confronts viewers with the brutal reality of war, challenging romanticized or heroic narratives. The graphic imagery and emotional intensity invite reflection on the universal themes of human suffering, violence, and the consequences of political conflict.