Fuerza de amor' (The Perpertrator of Violence/ The Rape)

Goya was already 73 years of age when he first turned his creative energies to the still relatively new technique of lithography. Over the course of several years, he used the process to create 18 prints – some of which number among the major works of his late period. They are considered to be some of the most remarkable achievements in 19th century lithographic art. Fuerza de amor is generally believed to have been one of the works created in 1819 while the artist was still living in Madrid, produced either in limited numbers or as unique prints. A number of these early works (including our own example) were produced using a transfer technique. There is a lightness of touch in the varying strength of the picture’s outlines which, coupled with the broad areas of shading applied by brush, enable the artist to capture the erotic elements of unbridled sexuality and violence.