They say yes and give their hand to the first comer (El si pronuncian y la mano alargen al primero que llega)
Original title: Plate 2 from "Los Caprichos": They say yes and give their hand to the first comer (El si pronuncian y la mano alargen al primero que llega)
kurzbeschreibung
In a dimly lit room, several figures press together, but two women at the front command attention. Francisco de Goya made this print in 1799 as part of his Caprichos. The etching and aquatint skewers the readiness with which women give away their favors.
Description
On the right, a woman in a long white dress stands talking with another woman beside her, who wears a dark jacket and a cap. Behind them, other figures are scattered in various poses—some laugh or shout, others look sad or uneasy. Their faces are carefully worked to convey different emotions. Weak light falls from above, deepening shadows and contrasts in the gray tones. The layout is asymmetrical, drawing the eye to the two women.
Context
Goya worked on the Caprichos between 1797 and 1799; they offer a critical attack on Spanish society of his time. This print deals with moral corruption and the shallowness of relations between the sexes. The series appeared in 1799 but was soon withdrawn from sale because of its sharp social criticism.
Impact
The gloomy mood and expressive faces create a sense of oppression. The image feels like a moral indictment and prompts reflection on social conventions. Realistic precision and grotesque exaggeration mix into a timeless intensity.
Technique
The print was made as an etching with burnished aquatint, which allows fine lines and graduated shading. The aquatint produces soft tonal transitions, while the etching provides precise contours. Burnished aquatint was used to lighten certain areas and emphasize lighting effects.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)