Artwork preview

Los ensacados (The Men in Sacks)

Francisco Goya

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of cloaked, ethereal figures in a dimly lit scene. The image depicts a group of ghostly forms gathered closely together, each draped in flowing, cloak-like garments. The figures appear to be floating above the ground or hunched over slightly. The background is an ambiguous, dark shade that contrasts with the lighter tones of the figures. This piece involves an intricate play of light and shadow, emphasizing the eerie and mysterious nature of the composition. The overall effect is unsettling yet captivating.

Artwork Details

Date
in or after 1816
Medium
etching and burnished aquatint [trial proof printed posthumously circa 1854-1863]
Dimensions
5081 × 3532 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original