They Make Use of Them 18th-19th century

Curator: I am immediately struck by the brutal honesty of this image. It's a landscape of despair. Editor: Indeed. What we are looking at is "They Make Use of Them," by Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes, part of his "Disasters of War" series held at the Harvard Art Museums. Goya offers here a harrowing vision. Curator: Harrowing is the right word. Those figures...they are slumped, broken. And the single figure standing seems almost predatory. It reminds me of vultures. Editor: Goya masterfully uses the etching technique here to create a shadowy space. The single figure is standing atop a pile of bodies, perhaps stripping them. The image evokes the harsh realities of conflict. Curator: Absolutely. The title itself, "They Make Use of Them," has a bitter irony. It's not just about physical exploitation. The image hints at a deeper corruption. Editor: It is as if Goya sought to capture not just the violence of war, but also its psychological and moral toll, leaving a powerful and unsettling impression. Curator: A truly unforgettable work, one that challenges us to confront the darker aspects of humanity. Editor: Yes, it serves as a stark reminder of our capacity for cruelty and exploitation.