Who painted The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed?

The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed was painted by Francisco de Goya in 1815.

Where can I see The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed?

The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed?

The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed

Francisco de Goya , 1815

The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco de Goya. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1922.577
Credit line: Dudley P. Allen Fund

About this work

Overview

Created around 1815, this print by Francisco de Goya, titled The Horrors of War: Perhaps They are of Another Breed, is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a bleak, tumultuous scene in which bodies lie amid ruin, suggesting the aftermath of violent conflict.

Subject & Meaning

The foreground is populated by figures that appear lifeless or in the throes of death, while the background shows a shattered wall or building. The stark juxtaposition of human suffering against architectural collapse conveys the brutal consequences of war, inviting contemplation of its indiscriminate devastation.

Technique & Style

Goya employs a limited, somber palette and vigorous brushwork to heighten tension. Dark tones dominate, creating a chiaroscuro effect that emphasizes the morbid tableau. The composition directs the eye inward, with the clustered bodies anchoring the viewer’s focus before expanding outward to the chaotic ruin beyond.

History & Provenance

The print dates to the later period of Goya’s career, a time when he turned increasingly toward themes of conflict and human anguish. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on display as a representative example of Goya’s war-related oeuvre.