Francisco DE GOYA (1746-1828) Los Caprichos Complete suite of 80 plates from the 1799 first edition. Etching, aquatint. Very fine proofs on laid paper in slightly worn calf binding with spine (rubbing, small removals). Spotting, scattered foxing, a few wavy folds and pinched folds, small tears at bottom p. 22, p. 67, tiny surface removal p. 28. Yellowed endpapers and transition leaves, no title page. Subjects: 21.5 x 15 cm Sheets: 30.5 x 19.5 cm (a little cut) (Harris 36 to 115, I/XII; Delteil 38 to 117). Provenance: Collection of Marquis Alphonse d'Aoust (1819-1909) ; By descent to the present owner. The Caprices, or Fantaisies are a series of 80 engravings produced between 1796 and 1798 and published in 1799, which brought Goya to the pinnacle of his art as an engraver. The artist had frequented scholars and made friends with intellectuals with whom he shared the desire for progress of the "Enlightenment", with the aim of putting an end to the backwardness of a Spain plagued by the atavism and vices of the age. A very fine and precious copy, describing and criticizing the mores of Spanish society at the time, with a wealth of evocative scenes ranging from gallantry to the inquisition. The whole is a powerful indictment of human stupidity, corruption, prostitution, superstition, the lies of men and the blindness of power.