Trials 18th-19th century

Curator: Goya's "Trials," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a scene steeped in ambiguity. My initial impression is of a disturbing ritual, underscored by the stark contrast and unsettling figures. Editor: The looming ram, prominently placed behind the central figures, immediately grabs my attention. It feels almost like a pagan deity observing the scene. Curator: Indeed, the ram’s presence connects this image to broader conversations around witchcraft, superstition, and the suppression of marginalized groups during Goya's time. Editor: And the woman attending to the fallen man—what can we make of her gesture? Is it nurturing or sinister? Curator: Precisely, the ambiguity is key. Considering Goya's critical stance on societal hypocrisy, her actions can be read as a commentary on the precarious position of women, forced to navigate power structures. Editor: The imagery is unforgettable. I'll be pondering those dualities for some time to come.