They are Dying 1825 - 1828

Editor: We're looking at "They Are Dying," a drawing by Francisco de Goya, made sometime between 1824 and 1828. It's stark, monochromatic, and the figures seem to be consumed by the shadows around them. What feelings or ideas does this drawing evoke in you? Curator: You know, it's like Goya grabbed a handful of charcoal and channeled his rawest emotions onto that page. The title itself, "They are Dying", it’s so direct, so brutally honest. Forget gentle landscapes; this is Goya staring into the abyss, and dragging us along for the ride. He seems to whisper "look closer." Editor: Absolutely. The intensity is palpable. There's so much raw emotion and very little detail! Curator: Precisely! But it’s not just emotion, it’s also history seeping through the paper, right? He created this after the horrors of the Peninsular War, the restoration of the monarchy and ensuing repression. His vision became so stark. The way he renders these figures with such expressive lines speaks volumes, don’t you think? Editor: Yes, their postures alone tell a story of suffering. How can Goya evoke such profound feeling using relatively simple drawing techniques? Curator: That's Goya's genius! The quick, almost frantic lines add urgency. And think about his use of light and shadow – plunging most of the drawing into darkness makes these dying figures appear even more vulnerable. Also, there are multiple figures in one, a Goya’s trick showing at least three suffering persons and how their fates are interwoven. Goya's telling us we are all bound together, somehow. Editor: It makes you realize art doesn’t always need to be beautiful to be powerful. Curator: Right. It can be a punch to the gut, a cold splash of reality. This artwork urges to confront uncomfortable truths about human suffering. Editor: That’s really changed how I see it. It's not just about dying; it's about remembering those who suffered. Thank you!