La filiacion. 1796 - 1797

Francisco Goya created this etching, titled "La filiacion," which translates to "The Lineage," using aquatint. Notice the striking figure of the woman with the head of a dog—a symbol laden with cultural baggage. The dog, often a symbol of fidelity and loyalty, takes on a sardonic twist here. We see the "dog-headedness" motif dating back to ancient Egypt with Anubis, the guardian of the dead, or in Greek mythology with the monstrous Cerberus. Over time, the dog has morphed, in the cultural psyche, into something more—a symbol of base instincts, of the grotesque. Observe also the chorus of grotesque faces surrounding the central figure. They evoke a sense of unease, a collective subconscious of societal judgment. The emotional weight of this scene lies in the tension between outward appearance and inner nature, capturing a raw, psychological drama. Thus, the symbol of the dog, once a noble companion, evolves through history, reflecting our deepest anxieties and societal critiques, reappearing to remind us of the cyclical nature of cultural memory.