Sad forebodings of what is to come - Francisco Goya
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A haunting etching by Francisco Goya, serving as the opening plate to his series 'The Disasters of War', depicting a solitary figure in a state of despair.
This etching, titled 'Sad forebodings of what is to come' (or 'Tristes presentimientos de lo que ha de acontecer'), is the opening plate of Francisco Goya's series 'The Disasters of War'. Created between 1810 and 1820, the work captures a solitary figure kneeling in a dark, cavernous space. The subject, dressed in a tattered white garment, looks upward with an expression of despair. His arms are outstretched, suggesting a posture of resignation or supplication.
Goya employs a stark contrast between light and shadow to define the composition. The figure is illuminated against a background of dense, chaotic hatching. These marks, created through etching and drypoint, convey a sense of psychological turmoil. The surrounding darkness feels heavy and oppressive, reflecting the atmosphere of the Peninsular War that Goya witnessed. Unlike his earlier court paintings, this series focuses on the human experience of conflict, suffering, and the breakdown of social order.
The technical execution demonstrates Goya's mastery of the etching medium. He uses varied line weights to build texture and depth, moving from the fine, delicate strokes of the figure's face to the aggressive, cross-hatched lines of the background. This print functions as an introduction to the broader narrative of the series, which documents the brutality of war without the traditional glorification found in contemporary military art. The image remains a stark observation of human vulnerability in the face of inevitable catastrophe. It avoids didactic moralising, instead presenting a raw, visual record of internal and external strife. The work is part of a larger collection of eighty-two prints that Goya produced during a period of significant political instability in Spain, offering a grim perspective on the human condition during times of extreme violence.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Sad forebodings of what is to come - Francisco Goya
Why Choose Us ?
Damage-free delivery guarantee
Fast Shipping
Museum-Quality Materials
You May Also Like