Maja met de lichte achtergrond 1824 - 1828

Francisco de Goya created this delicate etching, Maja met de lichte achtergrond, which translates to Maja with a light background, during a period of immense social and political upheaval in Spain. Goya lived through the Spanish War of Independence and the tumultuous reign of Ferdinand VII. His personal experiences, including illness and deafness, profoundly shaped his worldview. In this etching, the maja, a figure representing the stylish, lower-class women of Spain, stands confidently with her hands on her hips. She asserts her presence, challenging the traditional representations of women in art at the time. The play of light and shadow adds an emotional dimension to the scene, highlighting the sitter's ambiguous expression. Goya pushes against the established conventions, offering a glimpse into the complexities of identity, class, and gender in Spanish society.