Artwork

Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself)

Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself), by Francisco de Goya, ink, 1799
Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself), by Francisco de Goya, ink, 1799

Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francisco de Goya. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:recto: upper right in plate: P. 6; lower center in plate: Nadie se conoce; verso: none
Markings
Marked:none

About this work

Overview

Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself) is an etching and aquatint on wove paper created by Francisco de Goya in 1799. It is part of a series of prints that examine the human condition and societal norms.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a man and woman in 18th-century clothing against a dark background. The man, wearing a large hat and holding a sword, is accompanied by a woman in a long gown. The title, written at the bottom, suggests the scene may be commenting on the superficiality of social interactions.

Technique & Style

Goya employed etching and aquatint techniques to achieve a sense of depth and texture. The use of dark tones and dramatic lighting contributes to the overall mood, characteristic of the emerging Romanticism style.

History & Provenance

The print is part of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, collection. Goya, born in 1746 in Fuendetodos, Spain, was a prominent figure in Spanish art, bridging the Old Masters and modern art with his work in painting, drawing, and printmaking.

Nadie nos ha visto (No One Has Seen Us)
Nadie nos ha visto (No One Has Seen Us), Francisco de Goya

Artist & collection

Portrait of Francisco de Goya

Artist

Francisco de Goya

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself)?

Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself) was painted by Francisco de Goya in 1799.

Where can I see Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself)?

Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself)?

Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself) is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself)?

Museum-quality prints of Nadie se conoce (Nobody Knows Himself) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.