They Carried Her Off! 1799

Curator: Here we have Francisco Goya’s print, “They Carried Her Off!” presently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's a stark image, filled with tension. The dramatic contrast between light and shadow creates a feeling of unease. Curator: Indeed. Goya uses the imagery of abduction to explore themes of violence, power, and the vulnerability of women within societal structures. Editor: Observe how the figures are arranged. The diagonal line of the woman's body, juxtaposed against the dark background, draws our eye to her helplessness. Curator: It's interesting to consider the print's title, "Que se la Llevaron!" The phrase highlights the act of taking—of depriving someone of their agency. The cultural implications are evident. Editor: The etching technique, with its dense cross-hatching, amplifies the chaotic nature of the scene. It's visually disturbing, forcing us to confront the brutality of the moment. Curator: It leaves one pondering the normalization of such acts, then and perhaps even now. Editor: A powerful work, structurally and symbolically, and deeply unsettling in its impact.