Ruega por ella. 1796 - 1797

This etching, by Francisco Goya, presents a scene laden with the symbols of vulnerability and societal critique. We observe a young woman, her exposed leg suggesting a moment of intimate grooming or perhaps medical inspection, while an old woman, possibly a procuress, mutters prayers, her rosary beads a stark contrast to the scene's underlying reality. The act of prayer, seemingly pious, takes on a sinister hue. The rosary, traditionally a symbol of devotion, here becomes an emblem of hypocrisy, a veil for darker deeds. This juxtaposition reminds us of similar motifs found in medieval morality plays, where religious symbols often masked earthly corruption. Such imagery taps into a collective memory, a cultural understanding of the discrepancy between outward appearance and inner truth. Goya masterfully engages our subconscious, challenging our assumptions and provoking a visceral response to the exploitation veiled in religious guise. This symbol resurfaces, a potent reminder of how easily faith can be manipulated, its cyclical return echoing through history's corridors.