Despacha, que dispiértan. 1796 - 1797

Francisco Goya etched "Despacha, que dispiértan" using aquatint. In this print, wizened figures, hunched over a table, devour what appears to be the remains of a meal, while another sweeps nearby; images laden with potent symbols of decay, gluttony, and mortality. These motifs echo across centuries, reminiscent of medieval allegories of the danse macabre, where death feasts on life, reminding us of our inevitable end. Observe the central figure’s intense focus—an almost manic fervor—as she grasps at the fleeting pleasures before they vanish. This gesture recalls similar depictions in Renaissance vanitas paintings, where grasping hands symbolize the futility of earthly possessions. The ever-present broom, a mundane tool, transforms into a symbol of impermanence. Just as it sweeps away dust, time sweeps away life. Such images serve as powerful memento mori, stirring subconscious anxieties about mortality. Ultimately, Goya's etching is a stark reminder of the cyclical nature of existence, where symbols of life and death intertwine, continuously resurfacing in art and culture to confront us with our deepest fears and desires.