Et vildt uhyre (81) 1810 - 1812

This etching by Francisco de Goya presents us with a scene of raw, untamed horror: a wild beast devouring human figures. The image resonates with the ancient motif of the devouring monster, a symbol deeply embedded in our collective unconscious. Throughout history, this motif reappears – think of the biblical Leviathan or the Greek Cronus, who swallowed his own children. Goya's beast evokes these primal fears of destruction and the chaotic forces that threaten to engulf humanity. The act of devouring carries potent psychological weight, representing not only physical annihilation but also the absorption and obliteration of identity. This symbol is not a linear progression but a cyclical return of repressed anxieties and fears. The image serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present potential for barbarity and the fragility of civilization, echoing through time in various forms.