This is Bad, plate 46 from The Disasters of War Possibly 1812 - 1863

This is Bad, plate 46 from The Disasters of War, is a stark etching made by Francisco de Goya, a Spanish artist who lived through tumultuous times, including the Peninsular War. Goya was a court painter, but he also made work that critiqued the social and political issues of his day, particularly war. The Disasters of War series is unflinching in its depiction of violence, and plate 46 is no exception. It presents a scene of brutality, focusing on a man in a religious habit about to be stabbed from behind. The emotional impact is intense, heightened by the contrast of light and shadow, and the contorted, agonized figure. The inscription, "This is bad," suggests a deep moral outrage and perhaps an expression of the unbearable. It pushes us to question who the perpetrators are and the implications of such violence on identity, class, and religion. The scene reflects not just historical events but also the deep psychological scars of conflict. It compels us to reflect on the cyclical nature of violence and the individuals caught in its wake.