After Vice Comes Fornication [Simpleton] c. 1813 - 1820

Francisco de Goya created this etching titled "After Vice Comes Fornication" using aquatint, a process which allows for a broad range of tonal effects. It comes from "Los Caprichos," a series of prints offering biting social commentary during a period of immense political and social upheaval in Spain. The print powerfully intertwines themes of sexuality, class, and societal decay. A grotesque figure, symbolizing vice, looms over a smaller, draped figure with child-like proportions. The figures perhaps represent the exploitation of the vulnerable. The title, "After Vice Comes Fornication" and inscribed "simpleton" suggests a narrative of cause and effect, hinting at the moral corruption Goya saw within Spanish society. Goya once said "The sleep of reason produces monsters" and through his work we are confronted with the monstrous consequences of unchecked power. As you reflect on this piece, consider how it speaks to the historical moment in which it was created and how it resonates with contemporary issues. It is a stark reminder of the human capacity for both depravity and compassion.