It Is Amazing-And We Were Made by God [Furious Folly] c. 1813 - 1820

Editor: So this etching, "It Is Amazing-And We Were Made by God [Furious Folly]," by Francisco Goya, dates from around 1813 to 1820. The whole scene feels… chaotic, even a little desperate, and that title, juxtaposed with the grim imagery, it's unsettling. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: Unsettling is a perfect word, because it seems Goya delights in plucking at our heartstrings, then knotting them up something fierce. Those huddled figures, their faces obscured… it’s as though he’s presenting humanity stripped bare, during times that tested even the staunchest of souls. Remember, Spain was enduring immense suffering, famine, and political turmoil during these years. This etching… it's not just a scene; it's a scream. Editor: A scream, yes! That’s a powerful way to put it. What about the figure with the staff? He seems almost confrontational. Curator: He is, isn't he? Charging forward, eyes blazing with… well, what do you think he's blazing with? Rage? Desperation? Perhaps a desperate defiance? Goya wasn't one for offering easy answers, you see. The darkness enveloping the composition pushes the drama forward – notice how the artist leaves just a few points of light so we notice the drama even more. Editor: That makes a lot of sense. I was so focused on the immediate figures, I didn’t consider the historical backdrop enough. Now that you point it out, there’s a layered complexity I hadn’t quite grasped. It’s not just observation, but this raw, emotional interpretation. Curator: Exactly! That’s where the true brilliance of Goya shines. It makes you think, doesn't it? It is more than just art to be consumed – you have to sit with this and ponder! Editor: It certainly does. I'm definitely going to spend more time looking at Goya’s work from this period. Thanks!