The Betrothal 18th-19th century

Editor: This is "The Betrothal" by Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The etching's tone feels satirical; there's an almost grotesque quality to some of the figures. What underlying social commentary do you perceive in this work? Curator: Goya often critiqued the social structures of his time. Consider the title: "betrothal" or "affiliation." It could be read as a commentary on arranged marriages and social climbing. How do the figures' expressions contribute to this interpretation? Editor: The older figures do seem to leer, while the young woman appears passive, almost doll-like. It highlights the power dynamics at play. Curator: Exactly. Goya uses caricature to expose the corruption and absurdity of these social rituals. His works prompts us to examine the power structures that persist within seemingly conventional traditions. Editor: That's a sharp insight. I see now how Goya weaponizes imagery against the status quo. Curator: Indeed, and his prints made these critiques accessible to a broader audience, making his art a tool for social awareness.