Devout Profession c. 18th century

Curator: This is Francisco Goya's etching, "Devout Profession," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. The plate measures just over 207 x 165 cm, and it certainly packs a visual punch. Editor: It's unsettling. The stark contrasts, the grotesque figures... it projects a mood of deep unease, even dread. The etched lines are sharp, almost frantic. Curator: Goya’s work often critiques societal hypocrisy, and here, the demonic figures presiding over what seems like a religious ritual suggest a corruption of faith. The figures are weighed down, almost drowning. Editor: Yes, the composition emphasizes this—the density of the upper register, the plunging diagonal lines. It creates a sense of imbalance, mirroring the moral corruption you mentioned. Curator: The visual language of demons and ritual acts as a metaphor for the darker aspects of human nature. Goya seems to be unmasking something sinister underlying devotion. Editor: The power of suggestion. This image lingers in the mind precisely because of its ambiguity. Curator: A chilling reminder that symbols can be twisted. Editor: Indeed, a stark arrangement.