Trials 1799

Francisco Goya produced this etching, called "Trials," using aquatint. The scene is full of mysterious figures and symbols, such as a goat, cats, and skull. These images are clearly intended to evoke the dark world of witchcraft and the occult. Made in Spain, a country at this time with a strong Catholic identity and still under the influence of the Inquisition, the imagery of witchcraft could carry great political weight. We need to consider the role that art played at this time in challenging traditional social norms and institutions. Was Goya using imagery of witchcraft to criticize the established church and state? Was he highlighting the superstitions that lead to persecution and injustice? To understand the social meaning of "Trials," we can look to historical records, Inquisition documents, and popular literature of the time. By examining these resources, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, society, and power in Goya's Spain.