El si pronuncian y la mano alargan Al primero que llega. 1796 - 1797

This print is by Francisco de Goya. The etching is dominated by a stark contrast between light and shadow, casting the scene into a dramatic mode. The artist utilizes a complex web of lines to construct form and texture. Notice how the figures are arranged in a dynamic composition with the central woman. The line of her extended hand creates a visual pathway, drawing the eye toward the grotesque figures clamoring for her attention. Here, the artist destabilizes traditional notions of beauty and desire by portraying the pursuit of the woman as a macabre spectacle. The masks and exaggerated features challenge fixed meanings about social appearance and inner corruption. It also reflects broader anxieties about the superficiality and decay of societal values. The manipulation of light and shadow serves not just an aesthetic purpose but also underscores Goya’s commentary on the human condition. Meaning isn't fixed; it's something we continually revisit and reinterpret.