They'll Get Their Desserts ("Buen pelo echará") 1807 - 1845

Leonardo Alenza created this ink and wash drawing, "They'll Get Their Desserts," amidst the turbulent social and political landscape of 19th-century Spain. The drawing presents a haunting image, laden with the symbolism of its time. We see a young woman caught between two figures: a man kneeling before her and an older figure with a conical hat. The inscription, "Buen pelo echará," hints at the dark implications of power and seduction. Alenza's work resonates with the themes of social critique and the grotesque. The figures embody the artist’s reflections on the frailties of human nature, and the all-consuming power of desire. The woman's vulnerability is heightened by the predatory stance of the elder, challenging traditional representations of women. The drawing invites us to consider the emotional and psychological toll of societal expectations and power dynamics. Ultimately, "They'll Get Their Desserts," serves as a powerful commentary on the ways in which societal structures shape individual destinies, reminding us of the ever-present shadows of power.