Fire at Night 1794

Francisco Goya painted this small oil on canvas, “Fire at Night,” at an unknown date. The painting depicts a scene of chaos and desperation, reflecting the turbulent period of Spanish history in which Goya lived. Goya was working during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a time of social upheaval and political conflict in Spain. The impact of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars deeply affected Spanish society. This painting, with its dramatic chiaroscuro and depiction of human suffering, reflects the anxieties and uncertainties of that era. The huddled figures, illuminated by the fierce light of the fire, suggest a society in crisis. To fully understand Goya's work, we can look to historical records, personal letters, and the writings of his contemporaries. The meaning of art is inseparable from its social and institutional context.