Fran.co Goya y Lucientes, Pintor (Plate 1 from Los Caprichos)
Original print, intaglio on paper • Francisco de Goya y Lucientes
Style & Movement
Romanticism / Spanish Enlightenment (Siglo de las Luces)
Medium & Technique
Etching with aquatint, drypoint, and burin; fine line-work with tonal shading
Creation Period
circa 1797–1798 (First edition published 1799; later editions throughout 19th Century)
Dimensions & Format
Approximate plate size 215 x 150 mm; vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
A self-portrait of the artist in profile, wearing a tall top hat and looking sideways with a skeptical or brooding expression. It serves as the frontispiece to the 'Los Caprichos' series, establishing the artist's watchful role as a critic of contemporary Spanish society.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair; visible toning and typical aging for a late 19th-century impression.
Estimated Market Value
$2,500 - $6,000 USD (heavily dependent on the specific edition/pressing)
Auction Estimate
$1,500 - $4,500 USD (individual plate from a later edition)
Provenance History
Unknown collection history; inscription 'Fran.co Goya y Lucientes, Pintor' identifies the subject as the artist. Likely from a later edition (e.g., the 4th through 12th editions) based on paper color.
Art Historical Significance
Iconic frontispiece to one of the most influential graphic series in Western art history. It marks Goya's transition toward social satire and the 'Black Paintings' aesthetic, influencing modernists like Manet and Picasso.
Notable Features
Distinctive profile perspective; the inscription 'Pintor' (Painter) emphasizes his profession. The plate number 'P. 1' is visible in the upper right corner, typical of the Caprichos series.
Condition Issues
Significant foxing and surface spotting throughout the margins; acid burn from non-archival framing; possible light-fading of the ink.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional deacidification and cleaning by a paper conservator; remounting with acid-free museum-grade matting and UV-protective glazing.