Who painted Look How Solemn They Are!, Plate 63?

Look How Solemn They Are!, Plate 63 was painted by Francisco de Goya in 1799.

Where can I see Look How Solemn They Are!, Plate 63?

Look How Solemn They Are!, Plate 63 is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Look How Solemn They Are!, Plate 63?

Look How Solemn They Are!, Plate 63 is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Look How Solemn They Are!, Plate 63

Francisco de Goya , 1799

Look How Solemn They Are!, Plate 63 is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco de Goya. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created around 1799, "Look How Solemn They Are!

Accession no.: 1922.658
Credit line: Dudley P. Allen Fund

About this work

Overview

Created around 1799, "Look How Solemn They Are!" is a print by the Spanish artist Francisco de Goya, catalogued as Plate 63 in his series of etchings. The work is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents three enigmatic figures against a dark backdrop. The leftmost figure bears a bird‑like head and stands upright; the central figure has an oversized head and ears, holding an object in one hand; the rightmost figure resembles a dog‑like body topped with a human‑like head. Their posture suggests a silent, perhaps ritualized, interaction, evoking a mood of solemnity and mystery.

Technique & Style

Executed as an etching, the print relies on strong contrasts between deep shadows and illuminated forms to emphasize the strange silhouettes. Goya’s use of line and hatching creates texture in the figures’ features while the dark background recedes, reinforcing the eerie atmosphere characteristic of his late 18th‑century graphic work.

History & Provenance

The plate was produced in the final years of Goya’s early print series and entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century. Its precise ownership trail before reaching the museum is not extensively documented, but it has been exhibited as part of the museum’s European prints collection.