Reverse Copy of La Factoria (The Factory), from Les Caprices 1620 - 1700

This print, an anonymous reverse copy of La Factoria from Los Caprichos, captures a scene brimming with symbols of labor and rural life. The factory itself, a sturdy building with arched entrances, denotes industry. The figure resting under the tree might symbolize a moment of respite. Now, consider the ladder propped against the building. It’s a motif that echoes through art history, from religious depictions of the Ladder of Divine Ascent to more secular images of striving and ambition. This simple tool transcends its practical function, becoming a potent symbol of aspiration, yet also of potential fall. Across the field, we see another worker, bent over, and animals grazing. These are age-old motifs of pastoral life, recurring in art across cultures, reflecting a deep-seated longing for a simpler existence. In our collective memory, the factory might represent not progress but its discontents. This scene engages us on a subconscious level. It is an image filled with nostalgia and the yearning for an idealized rural past.