Volaverunt. 1796 - 1797

Francisco Goya created "Volaverunt" using etching and aquatint, a printmaking technique that allows for tonal variations. The composition is dominated by a woman elevated above grotesque figures. Her dark dress and outstretched arms create a visual contrast with the straining figures beneath, suggesting a dynamic tension between lightness and burden. Goya masterfully uses line and shadow to evoke a sense of unease. This print destabilizes the traditional representation of power, challenging fixed social and moral values. The Latin title "Volaverunt," meaning "they have flown," hints at an escape from the constraints of society, yet the precariousness of the woman's position implies that such liberation is fraught with exploitation. The dark tonality and grotesque figures engage with broader philosophical concerns about the human condition, reflecting a critical perspective on the Enlightenment ideals of reason and progress.