Woman throwing a tantrum and pulling her hair 1796 - 1797

Here is the audio guide script: Francisco Goya rendered this ink and wash drawing, a study of raw emotion, capturing a woman in the throes of a violent tantrum, pulling at her hair. This gesture, of tearing at one's hair, is an ancient symbol of grief, despair, and uncontrolled emotion. We see echoes of it in classical depictions of mourning figures, such as the weeping women in ancient Greek funerary art. The act transcends mere expression; it is a primal, almost instinctual response to overwhelming stress, symbolizing a loss of control and descent into chaos. Consider how this motif has traveled through time, reappearing in different guises—from the lamenting figures in Renaissance paintings to modern expressions of distress. This continuity reveals a deep-seated psychological connection to the image. Ultimately, Goya's image taps into a shared cultural memory, stirring subconscious recognition. These symbols possess the ability to evoke powerful emotional responses, connecting us to the past in a visceral way.