He Defends Himself Well 18th-19th century

Curator: Here we have "He Defends Himself Well," a print by Francisco Goya found at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought? Total chaos, but with a strangely balletic grace. Curator: Goya created this work in a time of social upheaval. Notice the frenzied pack of dogs attacking the central figure. What do you think that suggests? Editor: To me, it feels like a metaphor for the artist himself, surrounded by critics, maybe? Or societal pressures nipping at his heels. "He Defends Himself Well" could be ironic, or maybe a defiant cry. Curator: Yes, art historians often interpret the print within the context of Goya's disillusionment with the Spanish court and the political landscape. Editor: So, it's not just a scene of dogs gone wild; it's a snapshot of the artist wrestling with his world, using his own brand of dark humor. Curator: Absolutely, a powerful statement on the artist's role in turbulent times. Editor: It's a reminder that even in the face of a whole pack of troubles, there's a raw, visceral beauty in resistance.