Oude vrouw op een schommel 1824 - 1828

Francisco de Goya created this etching, "Old Woman on a Swing," as part of his series "Los Proverbios", or "The Proverbs." It was made during a time of great social and political upheaval in Spain. Goya lived through the late Enlightenment and the Napoleonic Wars, witnessing immense social change and the fragility of human institutions. This etching is a powerful statement on aging, gender, and societal roles. The old woman, seemingly suspended between youth and decay, presents a complex emotional landscape. Goya challenges the traditional representations of women, particularly older women, in art. Instead of portraying her as a symbol of wisdom or domesticity, she is shown engaged in an activity typically associated with youth and freedom. Is she a figure of ridicule, or does Goya invite us to consider her longing for lost youth, and lost possibilities? In a society preoccupied with youth and beauty, Goya dares to center an older woman, prompting us to reflect on our own perceptions of aging and the stories we tell about women's lives. The dark humor laced through this etching serves as a poignant reminder of the complex layers of human experience.