Estampas españolas de la Guerra de la Independencia: propaganda, conmemoración y testimonio

Abstract

Prints were a remarkable propaganda instrument during the Peninsular War. Since the mid 18th century the State had been encouraging the development of engraving and this favoured the existence of printmakers who satisfied the requirements of the market during these years. This market can be tracked thanks to the advertisements published in the periodical press. Production revolved around satire, portraits and narrative representations. As opposed to these mainly propagandistic prints, Francisco de Goya’s Disasters of War constitute a counterpoint in which the author offers a critical and personal point of view.