Ysele quema la Casa. (And his house is on fire.) (1796-1797)

Francisco de Goya, a master painter and printmaker from the late 18th century, reveals a moment of dark human experience in his etching "Ysele quema la Casa" (And his house is on fire). This artwork is part of Goya’s distinguished oeuvre that often explores themes of human nature, society, and complex emotions.In this particular piece, Goya captures a chilling scene: a man stumbling out of his burning home. Unlike typical portrayals of disaster, where protagonists display horror or despair, the figure illustrated here seems disturbingly jubilant amidst the catastrophe. His wide-eyed expression, combined with a mischievous or possibly malevolent grin, provides a critical narrative layer that intrigues and discomforts the viewer simultaneously.The etching technique Goya employs lends a gritty texture to the work, enhancing the gravity and immediacy of the scene. Shadows and the interplay of light and dark accentuate the chaotic energy emanating from the conflagration, focusing attention on the man's anomalously ecstatic demeanor.This work is compelling not only for its masterful execution but also for the psychological depth it brings to an instance of personal disaster. It challenges the viewer to consider the spectrum of human reactions to loss and calamity, nudging at the darker corners of human emotion and mental states.