Bury them and keep quiet (Enterrar y callar)

In the image we see two figures standing out against a pale background. They are looking at the macabre spectacle left behind by the war: a group of naked corpses. Both of these witnesses are covering their faces, although it is unclear whether they are crying or if they are holding their noses, just like the figure in etching no. 62, The deathbeds, is doing, to keep out the stench of the decomposing bodies.

Visually, this is one of the brightest images in the Disasters of War series; the sky is pale and clear, and so is the group of naked bodies left to their fate. This image also has a strong feeling of silence about it, especially in comparison with the other etchings, in which we can imagine the noise, screams and violence of battle. Despite the fact that these corpses are shown with their mouths gaping wide open, they can no longer shout or moan, nor plead for a better ending for themselves. The two observers have nothing to say either. All that is left to do is Bury them and keep quiet.

This etching can be considered alongside those others which depict groups of dead bodies, such as no. 12, This is what you were born for, nº 16, They avail themselves, nº 21, It will be the same, nº 22, All this and more, nº 23, The same elsewhere, nº 27, Charity, nº 48, A cruel shame!, nº 62, The deathbeds and nº 63, A collection of dead men.