The Seesaw 

Francisco de Goya painted this scene of children playing on a seesaw during a tumultuous period in Spanish history. Goya was court painter to the Spanish Crown, yet he also witnessed the social upheavals and political tensions leading up to the Peninsular War. Painted with loose brushstrokes and a muted palette, the scene captures a moment of childhood, but it is complicated by the specific emotional states of each figure. One child is elated, arms raised in triumph, while another covers his eyes in fear. The child at the highest point of the seesaw appears isolated, gazing out with an expression that seems to balance innocence with an awareness of something beyond the playground. Goya’s work often explored the human condition with unflinching honesty. This painting speaks to the precarious balance of power, the inevitable ups and downs of life, and the varied emotional responses to uncertainty. Childhood play becomes a metaphor for the broader social and political landscape, inviting us to reflect on our own roles.