GOYA IN THE VALLEY FAMED ARTIST'S ETCHINGS AT COLLEGE.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

VALENCIA - The most popular series of etchings by influential Spanish artist Francisco Goya, titled ``Los Caprichos,'' is on display in the gallery at College of the Canyons.

The collection starts with a self-portrait and subjects that were the stuff of his dreams. Halfway through the series, the etchings take a darker turn and become depictions of Goya's nightmares.

``This is like having one of the Norton Simon galleries dropped into our building,'' said Larry Hurst, who prepared the exhibit, which is on loan through March 19 from the Pomona Museum of the Claremont Colleges.

``We've been looking for exhibits that would interest students across the board. This is not only good for our art and history students, but also those in printmaking classes because of Goya's use of aquatint, which was very much ahead of its time.''

Visitors will recognize many issues that cause tumult in current society, portrayed by Goya using human figures, goblins, owls and bats. In a style that could be construed as a precursor to today's editorial or political cartoons, Goya skewers such subjects as marriage, prostitution, education, art, medicine, vanity, child abuse, greed, arrogance, superstition and the Catholic Church.

Goya created ``Los Caprichos'' in 1799, publishing 80 different images in 240 bound copies. Although his work was collected by other artists of note, the publication itself was a financial disaster and Goya was saved only because King Charles IV purchased the plates and more than 200 of the volumes so Goya's costs and reputation could be salvaged.

Hurst said that historians are showing particular interest in ``Los Caprichos'' because of their subject matter and the fact that he created the etchings during the Spanish Inquisition.

``He sort of pulled the wool over the eyes of the government leaders. He created these visions that he called dreams, but the images were actually social commentary that he got away with,'' Hurst said.

Hurst and gallery director Joanne Julian were looking to bring a collection of American Indian artifacts to the gallery when they became aware of the Goya collection.

``Joanne's eyes lit up when she saw Goya,'' Hurst said. ``The university said we were welcome to exhibit them if we had the proper insurance and security.''

``They had very specific requirements with security, humidity and lighting,'' Hurst explained. ``The biggest challenge was lighting. We had to black out the skylight, put filters on the doors, and the lights are on half-level.''

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

The works of Francisco Goya will be exhibited from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through March 19 at the College of the Canyons gallery, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia. Parking: $1.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Gallery visitors study etchings from the 1799 collection by Francisco Goya.

David Crane/Staff Photographer

(2) ``Los Caprichos'' comprises 80 prints created by Goya, including this one.

Box:

IF YOU GO (see text)