Blind singer 1820

Francisco Goya made this image, Blind Singer, using etching, aquatint and drypoint. Goya made this print at a time of social upheaval in Spain. He witnessed the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars and the restoration of the Spanish monarchy. In his art, he used imagery to explore themes of poverty, disability, and social injustice. This print depicts a blind man singing and playing the guitar; perhaps a representation of marginalized people in Spanish society. Spanish culture during the 18th and 19th century was deeply religious and hierarchical. Goya, as a court painter, was very aware of social norms, and often used his art to comment on them. We might consider this artwork progressive in its depiction of a disabled person as its central subject, rather than as an outcast. Art historians can consult a range of resources such as letters, diaries, newspapers and political pamphlets to better understand the cultural context of Goya's prints and etchings.