Nightmare
Original title: 'Nightmare'; an old woman carrying figures on her back; page 20 from the Witches and Old Women Album (D)
kurzbeschreibung
A hunched old woman carries three figures on her back — this motif was captured by Francisco de Goya y Lucientes around 1819–23 in a drawing. The sheet is executed with brush, carbon black and gray ink and wash, and touches of black chalk on laid paper. The burden of the figures stands for oppression and load.
Description
The old woman wears a simple, long robe and bends her upper body to bear the three figures. They adopt various postures: some upright, some lying or hanging down. The arrangement feels animated and, through the vertical alignment of woman and figures, emphasizes a strong upward movement. Gray tones dominate the color scheme, produced with charcoal and gray ink, with occasional accents of black chalk. The light remains flat and even, as is typical for ink and charcoal drawings.
Context
This sheet belongs to the album 'Witches and Old Women' (D), a series of drawings from Goya's late years. The period was marked by political repression in Spain after the restoration of Bourbon rule. Goya often took up superstition, witchcraft, and the abysses of human nature. The drawings were not commissioned but were private reflections by the artist.
Impact
An oppressive, surreal mood arises from the unusual load on the woman's back. The bent posture and the floating bodies evoke both absurdity and menace. The monochrome technique reinforces the somber, serious character of the motif.
Technique
Goya worked with brush and charcoal in black, gray ink and wash, supplemented by black chalk. Shading and lines are carefully placed to model the forms and movements of the figures. The laid paper allowed fine gradations of gray tones and a precise rendering of details.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)