Los Chinchillas. 1796 - 1797

Curator: Goya's "Los Chinchillas", created between 1796 and 1797, employs etching and engraving techniques to deliver a scene that is immediately disturbing. What's your initial reaction? Editor: My first reaction is revulsion. It’s raw, visceral, and unsettling. The use of stark lines and shadows amplifies the sense of violence and oppression. The grotesque figures and expressions...it’s almost unbearable. Curator: Precisely. The print comes from "Los Caprichos", a series in which Goya critiqued Spanish society. Here, we see figures subjected to torture, and I wonder about its impact on the social fabric. Editor: Absolutely. Goya uses the grotesque to highlight social injustices. The masked figure wielding the spoon, the restraints…it all screams of abuse of power and dehumanization. Are they chinchillas because they are kept as prized possessions, exploited and caged? Curator: Possibly. We have to remember the historical context; the Inquisition was still very much a presence. Many scholars interpret these prints as direct challenges to the socio-political climate, risking censorship and reprisal. The masks and animalistic features obscure identities, protecting Goya while universalizing his critique. Editor: Yes, there's something universally unsettling about the loss of dignity here. Look at the figure on the ground, clutching what looks like rosary beads – even faith provides no solace. The way it reflects current oppressive and autocratic practices... Curator: Goya provides no escape; he leaves us grappling with the stark realities of human cruelty. Consider how his grotesque representations deviate from idealized portraits; Goya used his art to challenge societal hypocrisy, not celebrate it. Editor: I agree. And that refusal to turn away from the darkness is what makes this image so compelling, even today. It's a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of challenging oppressive systems, regardless of their form. Curator: I concur. A potent visual document and enduring comment on humanity's capacity for cruelty. Editor: And a prompt that refuses to let the past simply fade into history. Powerful stuff.