Created between 1815 and 1816, it is the 13th of the 22 aquatints making up the series Los disparates.

Some have seen Goya's use of flight as a metaphor for instability, human irrationality and the inconstancy of fortune.

Other commentators have seen it as a metaphor for political and philosophical innovation.

[2] As with all of his prints, Goya produced a preparatory drawing for A way of flying.

There is also an artist's proof that was made with just the etched image before the aquatint was added.