Here Comes the Bogie-Man 18th-19th century

Editor: Here we have Goya's "Here Comes the Bogie-Man," a print residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark contrast between light and shadow creates a palpable sense of dread. What symbols or cultural anxieties do you believe Goya is exploring here? Curator: The Bogeyman is a universal figure—a shapeless fear. The hooded figure represents not just a monster, but the oppressive forces of ignorance, superstition, and control that haunted Spain and Europe at the time. The mother’s fearful gaze upward reinforces the pervasive dread Goya sought to capture. Editor: That's a haunting perspective. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, it reminds us how artists can tap into our collective fears and give them form, urging us to confront them.