Carnival Folly
Original title: 'Carnival Folly' from the 'Disparates' (Follies / Irrationalities)
kurzbeschreibung
Francisco de Goya y Lucientes made "Karnevalsnarretheit" as part of his "Disparates" (also known as "Follies" or "Irrationalities"), a series created around 1815–19 but not published until 1864. This print is an etching with aquatint and presents a crowd of masked and costumed figures in a boisterous carnival dance.
Description
Dressed in traditional attire, some with hats and masks, a group of people moves in a lively dance. Some sway to the rhythm, while others stand apart, watching the activity or turning to one another. On a pillar or similar structure in the background, a person hangs—a hint of a carnival game. Gray tones dominate the palette, and the light falls evenly, almost completely eliminating shadows. The style remains realistic, yet an ironic note resonates.
Context
The "Disparates" belong to Goya's late work, created after the horrors of the Spanish War of Independence and during a period of political restoration. The plates remained unpublished during the artist's lifetime; the first edition was issued in 1864 by the Royal Academy of San Fernando. In the series, Goya addresses the follies of society and the irrationality of humanity, often with a satirical and pessimistic undertone. The exact dating of individual plates is uncertain, but the creation is generally assumed to be around 1815–1819.
Impact
The even lighting and predominant gray tones create a gloomy, even oppressive mood that underscores Goya's ironic and critical stance. The animated figures and the strange figure in the background give the image something enigmatic, at times unsettling, that prompts the viewer to reflect.
Technique
The print is executed as an etching with aquatint—a technique that allows fine tonal gradations and soft transitions. The plate measures 24.5 × 35 cm, the paper 33.2 × 47.3 cm. Goya used aquatint for broad gray areas, while the etching brings out the contours and details of the figures.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)