The artwork titled “The same” is a creation by the esteemed artist Francisco Goya, completed during the period of approximately 1810 to 1815. This work is executed through the mediums of etching and wash on paper and is emblematic of the Romanticism movement. The dimensions of the piece are modest, measuring 16 by 22.1 centimeters. It navigates the genre of caricature, making a commentary that can be interpreted as both profound and satirical.
The etching presents a scene of chaos and brutality. Central to the depiction is a skeletal figure wielding a sledgehammer, engaged in an act of violence upon a pile of human bodies beneath. The figures appear contorted in anguish and distress, which amplifies the grim nature of the artwork. To the left, another figure, also a part of this melee, is seen with a sword in hand, striking downward with intense vigor. These characters are rendered with exaggerated features, typical of caricature, thereby conveying a message that transcends the literal scene. This work could be a social or political critique, common in Goya’s art, utilizing the grotesque to highlight the folly or vices of his subject.
