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Templum Fine Art Auctions

97 - FRANCISCO JOSÉ DE GOYA Y LUCIENTES (Fuendetodos, Zaragoza, 1…
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Estimate €250 - €500
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Description
FRANCISCO JOSÉ DE GOYA Y LUCIENTES (Fuendetodos, Zaragoza, 1746 – Bordeaux, 1828) – It is better to be idle (Los Caprichos, plate no. 11) Etching on paper. From the eleventh edition printed by the National Chalcography from the original plates. Image dimensions: 29 x 23 cm. Paper dimensions: 39 x 33 cm. This print corresponds to Capricho No. 11 from the celebrated series Los Caprichos, published by Francisco de Goya in 1799 and considered one of the masterpieces of European printmaking. Entitled ‘It’s Better to Idle’, the artist presents a satirical critique of late 18th-century Spanish society through a scene laden with irony and symbolism. The composition depicts a young woman standing next to a hooded old procuress and a seated man interacting with both figures, creating an image that alludes to idleness, prostitution and moral corruption—recurring themes within the critical universe of *Los Caprichos*. As in much of the series, Goya uses what appears to be a genre scene to construct a profound reflection on human vices and the social contradictions of his time. The Caprichos series marks a turning point in the history of Western art, combining the satirical tradition of the Enlightenment with a visionary imagination that foreshadows later artistic movements. Through etching and aquatint—techniques he mastered with extraordinary skill—Goya achieved a tonal richness and expressive freedom unprecedented in the printmaking of his era. The prints in the series reflect the influence of the Spanish Enlightenment, whilst also revealing the artist’s deeply personal and critical view of superstition, ignorance and the abuses of contemporary society. This copy is from the eleventh edition printed by the National Chalcography, the institution that holds Goya’s original plates and is responsible for the authorised printing of his major graphic series. These official prints, obtained directly from the historical matrices preserved by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts ...
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About the sale GRAND SUMMER AUCTION OF HAUTE ÉPOQUE AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 4:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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