You Make a Mistake if You Marry Again (Lo yerras, si te bue[l]bes á casar) by Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes

You Make a Mistake if You Marry Again (Lo yerras, si te bue[l]bes á casar) 1816 - 1820

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Dimensions: 26.7 x 18.1 cm (10 1/2 x 7 1/8 in.) frame: 41.3 x 34.3 x 1.9 cm (16 1/4 x 13 1/2 x 3/4 in.)

Copyright: CC0 1.0

Curator: Goya's drawing, "You Make a Mistake if You Marry Again," at the Harvard Art Museums, immediately conveys a sense of weariness. The figure seems burdened, doesn’t it? Editor: Indeed. The stark lines and simple wash emphasize the material poverty of this figure, his worn garments and simple walking stick indicating a life of hard labor or perhaps displacement. What’s the social context here? Curator: Goya was deeply invested in the political turbulence of his time. His drawings often scrutinize the plight of the common person and critique oppressive social structures, including marriage. Editor: Formally, the rawness of the technique speaks volumes. The figure’s posture, that subtle droop, coupled with the economical use of ink wash, create a powerful statement about aging, labor, and disillusionment. Curator: Precisely. The drawing acts as an indictment of the societal pressures and economic constraints that often made marriage a trap, especially for the working class. Editor: And that inscription along the bottom—it makes you consider the artist's intention and how the piece might resonate with different viewers over time. Curator: A potent reminder of how material conditions shape intimate human choices. Editor: It’s a striking piece, compelling us to confront the hardships endured by so many.

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