The Sleep of Reason: Francisco Goya's Los Caprichos

Christie’s presents an online-only auction of Francisco Goya’s Los Caprichos, a landmark series of prints published at the dawn of the 19th century. Widely regarded as ‘last old master and the first modern’ artist, Goya challenged outmoded traditions and superstitions that dominated the lives of his fellow Spaniards. However, ridiculing the church and state risked making powerful enemies, not least the dreaded Inquisition, and Goya employed allegory and illusion to cover his tracks. The impressions on offer are all from a First Edition copy, published by the artist in 1799, and were formerly in the collection of a member of the Spanish aristocracy.

View eCatalogue >