God Forgive Her! It's Her Own Mother! 1918 - 1928

Editor: This is Francisco Goya’s print, “God Forgive Her! It’s Her Own Mother!” From the Harvard Art Museums. The dark tones create a secretive, almost conspiratorial mood. What symbols do you see operating here? Curator: The fan, for example, is a charged object, isn't it? Across centuries, it's been a prop in the theater of courtship, a tool of subtle communication. Here, it hides, perhaps protects, the woman's face, while the title implicates the mother. Do you see a story being told through these visual cues? Editor: I do. The way the figures are positioned suggests a passing of secrets, maybe even complicity. Curator: Exactly. Goya uses these visual symbols to tap into cultural anxieties about family, reputation, and the societal pressures on women. Editor: I didn't consider the fan that way before. Thanks for pointing out all the symbolism! Curator: My pleasure! Symbols speak volumes once we learn to listen.