Madhouse after 1794

Francisco Goya painted this oil on canvas, known as ‘Madhouse’, at an unknown date. This work presents a harrowing scene inside what was then called a 'lunatic asylum', reflecting the bleak reality of mental health treatment in late 18th and early 19th century Spain. The painting doesn't merely depict the physical conditions, but also the social attitudes towards mental illness. The figures are stripped of dignity, some are fighting, others are lost in their own worlds, all under the indifferent gaze of the institution. Goya's work serves as a social critique, questioning the boundaries between sanity and madness. It's a commentary on a society that marginalizes and mistreats those deemed different. To fully appreciate Goya's statement, one must look at the historical context. Records from the period's medical institutions and social commentaries can provide insight into the actual conditions of asylums and the prevailing beliefs about mental illness. Through this lens, we can better understand the power of Goya's image as a challenge to the social norms of his time.