Already They Are Going ("Ya se van") 1807 - 1845

Editor: Leonardo Alenza's intaglio print, "Already They Are Going," created sometime between 1807 and 1845, features a man pointing toward several ghostly figures floating away. The subdued sepia tones and somewhat scratchy line work create an unsettling mood. What do you make of the composition, and its meaning? Curator: The effectiveness of Alenza’s composition hinges on a stark contrast. Notice how the solid, grounded figure of the man on the left, rendered with careful hatching, is visually juxtaposed with the ethereal, almost fragmented rendering of the figures on the right. Consider the use of line and tone. Alenza deliberately thins and breaks his lines to create a sense of dematerialization. Observe also the implied direction created by the man's gesture; this reinforces the dynamism and directs the viewer's eye toward the receding shapes. Editor: It’s almost like they're dissolving into thin air. Are you suggesting the technical execution enhances this sense of…departure? Curator: Precisely. Alenza masterfully exploits the intrinsic properties of intaglio to visualize not just a scene, but an action – a transition. The modulation of the line weight creates an impression of movement and change, contributing to the overall unease. Notice the lack of firm outlines around the departing figures which causes the figures to bleed into the whiteness. Editor: So, without knowing any historical context, we can still appreciate how the formal elements are working together to convey a very specific feeling, of something fading. Curator: Yes. A meticulous reading of its form allows a layered encounter with the work, going beyond any pre-existing historical information and informing any secondary investigation with visual understanding. Editor: It is fascinating how the artist's choice of line, tone, and composition directly contributes to such a narrative, all within the boundaries of the print medium. Curator: Indeed. And by attending to those elements we are invited into a more insightful experience of the art.