Den skamløse 1797 - 1798

Francisco Goya made this etching, ‘The Shameful One’, as part of his series ‘Los Proverbios’, sometime after 1815. Goya was working in a Spain undergoing immense social and political upheaval and this print reflects his critical view of society. Look closely, and you’ll see Goya uses stark contrasts of light and shadow to create a disturbing scene. What’s going on here? The figures seem grotesque, deformed, lost in their own world. Goya’s work often critiques the social structures of his time, and we might read this as a commentary on the marginalization of the poor and the outcast. The title itself, ‘The Shameful One’, suggests a society quick to judge and condemn those who don't fit in. To understand Goya fully, we need to delve into the history of Spain, the impact of war, and the role of the Enlightenment. Art history isn't just about aesthetics, it's about uncovering the complex interplay between art and its world.