That's Tough! 18th-19th century

Curator: This etching by Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes is titled "That's Tough!". It's currently part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It certainly is tough to look at! The scene is so raw, almost brutal. The stark contrast emphasizes the violence. Curator: Goya's work often served as a commentary on the social and political turmoil of his time. This piece uses stark imagery to depict the atrocities of war and human cruelty. Editor: I see that so much weight is given to the central figure brandishing a sword. He seems almost indifferent to the suffering around him. Is Goya perhaps suggesting that violence corrupts the perpetrator as well as the victim? Curator: That's a fascinating way to interpret it. Absolutely, Goya uses the visual vocabulary of horror to etch a lasting psychological impact. He’s not just showing us the act, but the dehumanization that enables it. Editor: It’s a dark reflection on humanity's capacity for violence. The lack of a specific date really makes this feel timeless, doesn’t it? Curator: It does. The symbols of brutality endure.