GOYA, Francisco (1746-1828). Los caprichos. Madrid:... Lot n° 186

Fifth edition, the fourth produced by the Calcografia Nacional, of the complete collection of 80 grotesque plates executed with the intention of laying bare the vices, vilenesses, aberrations and superstitions prevalent in Spain each accompanied by a sardonic explanatory caption. The first edition of Capricci was published on February 6, 1799, and offered for sale the same day in a liquor and perfume store on Calle Desenga?o, in Madrid. On the same day, in the Diario de Madrid, Goya took care to reiterate that the Capriccios were a work of his imagination and without real references. Concerned, however, by public reaction and the Inquisition, he decided after only 27 copies had been sold to withdraw the edition from the market, and so it was that in 1803 he donated the remaining copies of the Capriccios and their plates to the King in exchange for a pension for his son. The work was subsequently reprinted by Calcograf?a Nacional in Madrid in several editions from 1855 to 1937 after the first in 1799. 4to, (293 x 210mm). 80 aquatint plates in good impression (a few plates with blooming). Fifth edition after the appearance of the cut in the sky of plate 66 and before the defect on plate 19 (Harris). Coeval binding with silk cover decorated with arabesques (a few flaws) GOYA, Francisco (1746-1828). Los caprichos. Madrid: Calcografia Real, 1881-1886.