Nor These Either 18th-19th century

Curator: My first impression is one of disquiet. The composition feels off-kilter, almost violently so. Editor: We're looking at "Nor These Either," an etching by Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Its starkness is deliberate. Curator: The figures seem piled on top of one another in a rather unsettling heap, don't you think? The stark contrasts create an atmosphere heavy with despair. The work’s tonal range accentuates a disturbing mood, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. Goya's works often engage with the sociopolitical turmoil he witnessed. This piece, with its brutal imagery, serves as a pointed social commentary on the atrocities of war. Its power stems from its public role as a mirror reflecting back the violence of its time. Curator: Yes, but consider the formal choices here; the density of the lines creates an almost suffocating effect. Editor: Precisely. Both the content and the form coalesce to deliver a potent message. Curator: A work that invites complex contemplation. Editor: Indeed, it leaves one with a profound unease, a testament to Goya's ability to capture humanity's darkest moments.