Atropos (The Fates) 1823

"Atropos (The Fates)" is an oil painting by Francisco Goya from 1823, depicting the three Moirai, the Greek goddesses who controlled the thread of life. Atropos, the one holding the shears, is the most prominent, symbolizing the moment of death. The painting's dark palette and dramatic poses convey the inevitability of fate, a recurring theme in Goya's later works. Located in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, this masterpiece exemplifies Goya's signature style, characterized by a mix of realism and symbolism, which captured the darker aspects of human existence.