John Baldessari's Goya series from 1997 showcases his adeptness in blending imagery and text to evoke deeper contemplation, leveraging the dissonance between the two to prompt viewers into making conceptual leaps. This series draws inspiration from Francisco Goya’s "The Disasters of War", a set of etchings that graphically depicted the horrors of war accompanied by sardonically understated titles. Baldessari’s work echoes Goya's cynicism towards violence and the inadequacy of language to fully encapsulate human experiences. In "And", for example, a seemingly innocuous image of a paperclip is paired with the word “AND”, a nod to Goya’s use of simple conjunctions to link horrific scenes of violence, thus inviting viewers to explore the relationship between visual information and textual context​ (APHELIS)​.

Baldessari’s take on "The Disasters of War" is notably more subtle yet retains a cynical edge, challenging viewers to find deeper meaning in the juxtaposition of everyday objects with text. His work, such as a vase of flowers titled “There Isn’t Time”, transforms mundane objects into subjects of a broader commentary on life and human values. This series is celebrated for its minimalistic approach that allows for fluid interpretations, reflecting Baldessari’s interest in the spaces between bits of information and how they are bridged by the viewer's mind​ (Saatchi Art)​.

Peter Schjeldahl, an art critic, remarked on the series' ability to balance images and text in a way that engages both the visual and verbal centers of the brain simultaneously, creating a "buzzing standoff" that feels morally significant and recalls the essence of Goya’s spirit​ (APHELIS)​. Baldessari himself had a longstanding interest in language and the blending of images and text, aiming to demonstrate that they could exist without hierarchy and prompt viewers to look beyond surface appearances to find hidden layers of meaning​ (APHELIS)​.

The Goya series encapsulates Baldessari's conceptual artistry, showcasing his skill in repurposing and recontextualizing imagery to engage with historical themes in a manner that is both contemporary and thought-provoking.