They Have Flown (Volaverunt) - Francisco Goya

"They Have Flown (Volaverunt)" is plate 61 from Goya's *Los Caprichos*, a series of satirical prints critiquing Spanish society. The image depicts a woman floating above grotesque figures, executed in etching and aquatint.

This print, titled "They Have Flown (Volaverunt)", is plate 61 from Francisco Goya's series *Los Caprichos*, which was published in 1799. Goya (1746-1828) was a Spanish painter and printmaker, regarded as one of the most important Spanish artists of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. His work often reflected the social and political turmoil of his time. *Los Caprichos* is a set of 80 prints that critique Spanish society, particularly the aristocracy and clergy, through satire and caricature. In this image, a woman with an elaborate hat and fashionable dress appears to be floating or flying above three grotesque figures. The figures below seem to be supporting her, though their expressions suggest discomfort or distress. The print is executed in etching and aquatint, a technique that allows for a wide range of tonal effects, from delicate lines to deep shadows. The composition is dramatic, with the woman's figure dominating the scene and the figures below providing a sense of unease and instability. The title, "Volaverunt," translates to "they have flown" in Latin, suggesting a sense of escape or transcendence, but also perhaps a commentary on the fleeting nature of beauty or power.