The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters

Artist Enrique Chagoya (American, born in Mexico, 1953)

Publisher Universal Limited Art Editions (founded 1957)

Date2012

MediumIntaglio with Letterpress

DimensionsPlatemark: 8 7/16 × 5 13/16 in. (21.4 × 14.8 cm) Sheet: 14 5/8 × 11 1/16 in. (37.2 × 28.1 cm)

Credit LinePurchased through the John Petersen Print Aquisition Fund

CultureAmerican; Mexican

Markingsred stamp of bat under image

Inscribed13/18, Enrique Chagoya '12

Object numberPC2013.05

ClassificationsPrint Collection

DescriptionThis work is a reference to Francisco de Goya's "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters" from Los Caprichos, as shown by the position of the human figure in the bottom left, and the plate number 43. However, instead of birds and creatures hovering over the figure as in Goya's piece, Chagoya's work depicts balls of flame and dominating puffs of smoke, in an apocalyptic manner. Some of the smoke forms a large cross in the background. The human figure is surrounded by a few cats, and in the bottom right of the image there is a skull-like chest containing burning items such as a violin, an award, a wine bottle, money, and a frame. The figure rests with his head down on a surface that reads "El sueño de la razon produce monstruos", meaning "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters". The darkest values of the work are located on and around the figure, and the lightest values are shown in the flame balls. Chagoya finishes all of his works with a noticeable red stamp, this one being a red bat.

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