Devota profesion. 1796 - 1797

Curator: "Devota Profesion" made by Francisco Goya between 1796 and 1797, rendered as an etching, seems like it has leapt right out of a nightmare! The grotesque figures really leave an impression. What stands out to you about it? Editor: It's the... theatricality? These figures feel caught in the middle of some bizarre ritual. How do you interpret this work? Curator: This etching is part of Goya’s *Los Caprichos*, a series drenched in social critique. But it's not just a condemnation; it's a complex representation of power and belief in 18th-century Spain. Notice how Goya uses caricature? Editor: Yes, they are all very exaggerated...and unflattering. Curator: Exactly! He exaggerates features, turning religious figures into monstrous beings, literally sitting on the backs of the populace. What statement might Goya be making about institutional power and its effect on the marginalized? Editor: So, you are saying it's not just devils at play, it's a broader comment on the way power can corrupt institutions and those who benefit from them. It’s heavy stuff. Curator: Precisely! Goya used art as a mirror, reflecting the grim realities of his time and implicitly inviting viewers to reflect on their roles in these power structures. What do you make of its resonance today? Editor: That's really insightful. I see how Goya's critique goes way beyond just a simple spooky image and digs into themes of authority and societal structures. I’ll never look at Goya the same way again. Curator: And hopefully, neither will our listeners! Thinking critically about art allows us to think more critically about our world and our places within it.