Nanny's boy, plate four from Los Caprichos

Art Historical Context

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes created "Nanny's Boy as the fourth plate in his groundbreaking series *Los Caprich*, published in 1799. This and aquatint captures a grown man being carried on the of his elderly nanny, biting satire on dependency, privilege and the failure of Spanish society to embrace maturity and reason during the late Enlightenment. Goya, already established as a court painter, used the series to expose human folly, superstition, and corruption without direct political confrontation. The choice of etching combined with aquatint was revolutionary for its time, allowing Goya to achieve rich tonal gradations and dramatic shadows that heighten the print's emotional impact. Printed on ivory laid paper, these works were affordable and widely distributed, extending their critical message beyond elite circles. "Nanny's Boy" exemplifies Goya's shift toward darker, more introspective themes that would define his later career. As part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection, this impression preserves the crisp details and subtle textures that made *Los Caprichos* one of the most influential print series in art history, influencing generations of artists exploring social commentary through graphic media.

About the Artist

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes · 1746–1828

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes was born on March 30, 1746, in the small Aragonese village of Fuendetodos, Spain, to José Benito de Goya, a master gilder, and Gracia de Lucientes. The fourth of six children in a modest lower-middle-class family, Goya received a basic education before beginning his artistic training at age 14 under the local painter José Luzán y Martínez in Zaragoza, where he sp...