The artwork titled “All will fall,” created by Francisco Goya in 1799, is an etching on paper that belongs to the Romanticism art movement. As part of Goya’s “Los Caprichos” series, this caricature measures 14.6 x 21.9 cm and is currently held in a private collection. It exemplifies Goya’s critical eye and his use of art to reflect social and political commentary.
The artwork presents a dynamic and rather chaotic scene. In the foreground, a monstrous figure hunches over, holding onto what appears to be a lifeless body of a small figure, presumably a child, extending it towards an abyss. This central figure’s expression is hard to discern but suggests a grim severity. Around this focal interaction, several other inexplicit figures seem to be engaged in a struggle or fall, with a sense of motion conveyed through their positions and the artist’s use of lines. Above, two winged creatures, which could be interpreted as cherubs or allegorical figures, are seen, one carrying a passenger and the other flying independently. The creatures appear to be partaking in the tumultuous action but are captured in a state of suspension, further heightening the scene’s surreal quality.
The atmosphere Goya has fashioned in this work is tense and foreboding, with an almost palpable sense of impending downward movement, as suggested by the title “All will fall.” The use of etching allows for intricate details and strong contrasts, characteristic of Goya’s style within this series, where he often tackled themes of human folly and societal ills through allegory and satire.
