Loyalty; Etching with aquatint
Loading...
Authors
Goya, Francisco, 1746-1828
Issue Date
1864
Type
Image
Language
es
Keywords
Alternative Title
La Lealtad; Etching with aquatint [127]
Abstract
From the series "The Proverbs" (see print no. 3), this print has two titles. "La Lealtad" is a penciled title by an unknown hand, which appears on an 1848 proof of the work. The second is the Spanish proverb listed in the Harris catalog. Unlike "Disorderly Folly", "Loyalty" has no prototypes which might give some clue to its meaning; nevertheless, a number of interpretations exist.
The proverb does little to explain the print except in a general sense. Obviously the subject is a man being mocked but we are unaware of the reason. His face, swollen and distorted by emotion, could represent any number of feelings. The ambiguity of the etching is increased by the presence of a priest and a military or civil authority on horseback. There is also the figure who readies a syringe to purge the unfortunate of some unknown "ailment".
Although it is unlikely that Goya included such figures with no purpose in mind, their exact role escapes us. Thus, instead of a pointedly political or religious statement we are confronted with a very pessimistic picture of society which expresses Goya's lifelong hatred of prejudice and abuse.
An interpretation by Enrique Ferrari suggests that the figures on the left, including the priest, are not jeering at the man but speaking to him of the other world, good deeds and salvation, while those on the right laugh at such teachings. The man himself sits in agony of suspense and irresolution.
The proverb does little to explain the print except in a general sense. Obviously the subject is a man being mocked but we are unaware of the reason. His face, swollen and distorted by emotion, could represent any number of feelings. The ambiguity of the etching is increased by the presence of a priest and a military or civil authority on horseback. There is also the figure who readies a syringe to purge the unfortunate of some unknown "ailment".
Although it is unlikely that Goya included such figures with no purpose in mind, their exact role escapes us. Thus, instead of a pointedly political or religious statement we are confronted with a very pessimistic picture of society which expresses Goya's lifelong hatred of prejudice and abuse.
An interpretation by Enrique Ferrari suggests that the figures on the left, including the priest, are not jeering at the man but speaking to him of the other world, good deeds and salvation, while those on the right laugh at such teachings. The man himself sits in agony of suspense and irresolution.
Description
For more information about this work, contact KCollegeArtCollection@kzoo.edu.
C 1819 plate, 1864 edition
El que no tea ma, burlando te defame; translation: He who does not like thee will defame thee in jest
Plate 17 from "The Proverbs" (Los Proverbios), "The Follies" (Los Disparates)
C 1819 plate, 1864 edition
El que no tea ma, burlando te defame; translation: He who does not like thee will defame thee in jest
Plate 17 from "The Proverbs" (Los Proverbios), "The Follies" (Los Disparates)
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.