Foolishness of the Fools 1823

Francisco de Goya made this aquatint print titled "Foolishness of the Fools." Goya lived through some tumultuous times in Spain. He was a court painter, but his work often critiqued the social and political issues of his day. Bullfighting was, and still is, a popular spectacle, but Goya's "Foolishness of the Fools" offers an unusual perspective. Instead of focusing on the bravery of the matador, he shows us the chaotic and senseless violence of the bulls themselves. Notice the dark, shadowy atmosphere, punctuated by the white of the bulls. The scene feels claustrophobic and frenzied, suggesting that the "foolishness" lies in the unthinking, animalistic behavior of the crowd and its lack of reason. Goya was disillusioned with the social and political climate of Spain, particularly the restoration of the monarchy. The print could be read as a commentary on the irrationality and barbarism he saw around him. To understand Goya's work better, it is worth reading his letters and consulting historical records of the period. The meaning of art shifts with social and institutional context.