FRANCISCO JOSÉ DE GOYA
Los Proverbios.
Complete set of 18 aquatints with etching, circa 1824. Each approximately 255x355 mm; 10x14 inches, narrow to thread margins. Second edition, with numbers and the plates bevelled. Superb, richly-inked impressions with strong contrasts.This series was first published by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, Madrid in 1864 (the second edition appeared in 1875) under the title Los Proverbios, or Proverbs, previously known only in a handful of early 19th century proofs by Goya (1746-1828). The series is an enigmatic album of 22 prints (originally 18; 4 works were added later) which is the last major series of prints by Goya, created during the end of his career. The scenes of the Disparates, as Goya referred to many of the subjects in the series, which are difficult to explain, include dark, dream-like scenes that scholars have related to political issues, traditional proverbs and the Spanish carnival. Delteil 202-219; Harris 248-265.