Jaume Llorens

G-4

M.2.1

Historical truth in metaphor ( )

This is the second book purchased at the Seattle Art Museum after visiting their special exhibit of Graphic Masters, which had many of the prints in the “Los Caprichos” by Goya, the great Spanish artist.

“The Caprices” is far from the lighthearted title but is instead a biting critique of the 18th century Spain. Published in 1799, this album of 80 prints condemned the follies and foolishness of the Spanish society then. Topics were far-ranging from superstition, inquisition, injustices of the poor, prostitution, martial mistakes, and more. The prints themselves are cryptic with a title; Goya separately added explanation to a manuscript. Many are sad, some are unsettling, while several are outright horrifying. It is the darker side of art. History marks this series as having heightened Goya’s status exponentially as he embarked on a new phase of his artistic expression towards social statements. At his time though, this album sold only 27 copies. Being a favorite of the King, the King ordered Goya to give to the crown all the unsold sets as well as the copper plates and declared he had asked Goya to make them --- thus saving Goya from both the Inquisition and the political right.

Pieces that stood-out:
10) “Love and death” – The Ego wins, but the person loses. Reminded me of the Russian writers who died in duels such as Pushkin and Lermontov.
14) “What a sacrifice!” – A poor, young, pretty girl marrying a much older man to feed her family.
19, 20) “All will fall”, “There they go plucked” – On prostitution, the women “win” in these two.
21) “How they pluck her!” – On prostitution, the men, as birds of prey, are plucking the young lass who is terrified.
23, 24) “Those specks of dust”, “Nothing could be done about it” – On the Inquisition
30) “Why hide them?” – On aging, mocking the old for hoarding his money. This is the only one that I disagreed with. I think the old has the right to hang on to his/her wealth till death.
34) “Sleep overcomes them” – On the poor – “Don’t wake them! Sleep is perhaps the only happiness of the wretched.”
43) “The sleep of reason produces monsters” – This was the intended cover art of album. “Imagination abandoned by reason produces monsters: united with her, she is the mother of the arts and the source of their wonders”
44) “They spin finely” – On the web of lies
45) “There is plenty to suck” – On youth and aging
48) “Tale-bearers – Blasts of wind” – On gossiping
52) “What a tailor can do!” – On false appearances
75) “Can’t anyone untie us?” – On failed marriage ( )