Rabble 18th-19th century

Editor: This etching, "Rabble" by Francisco Goya, depicts a violent scene with frenzied figures. It feels chaotic and intensely emotional. What symbolic weight do you think the image carries? Curator: The figures' poses, particularly the woman with the raised weapon, evoke ancient sacrificial imagery, while the crowd embodies primal, collective rage. Goya taps into deep-seated cultural memories of violence and retribution. Do you see how the blurring of individual faces contributes to this? Editor: Yes, it’s like the loss of individual identity fuels the collective violence. I hadn’t thought about the sacrificial aspect before. Curator: Goya masterfully uses symbols to express the dark side of human nature. Editor: It's unsettling to realize how these symbols resonate even today.