It Serves You Right 18th-19th century

Curator: This print is by Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes, entitled "It Serves You Right" and is housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's so somber. The figures huddle in this dark scene; their faces are barely visible. It feels heavy with unspoken tension. Curator: Indeed. Goya often used imagery of suffering and injustice. Look at the title; it suggests a kind of karmic retribution at play. Editor: You can almost feel the weight of societal judgment bearing down on the figures in the print. The river seems to symbolize a passage, an escape from this somber reality, perhaps? Curator: Possibly. The lack of detail on their faces suggests a loss of identity, a dehumanization of sorts that strips them of individuality. Editor: It's a potent reminder of how easily society can turn against individuals and how symbols can both disguise and reveal deeper truths about our shared humanity. Curator: Goya's mastery lies in capturing these complex emotions through stark contrasts.