Other laws by the people or beast Absurdity 1823

This etching by Francisco Goya, titled ‘Other laws by the people or beast Absurdity’, is one of a series of prints made in Spain likely between 1815 and 1824. The image throws into sharp relief the artist’s critical stance toward the established order of his time. Goya uses an unusual juxtaposition of figures: on one side, a towering elephant; on the other, a cluster of robed figures bearing what appears to be a scroll of laws. The elephant, often seen as a symbol of wisdom and memory, is here presented as a figure of imposing power. In contrast, the group of men seems to represent the old guard, clinging to outdated rules and traditions. The stark contrast in scale and demeanor suggests a critique of the institutions of law and governance. Historical research into the social and political climate of post-Napoleonic Spain can help us interpret these images more fully. Through prints like this, Goya challenges the viewer to question the foundations of authority and the nature of justice.