A crowd forming a circle c. 1812 - 1820

This sepia wash drawing of a crowd scene was made by Francisco Goya in Spain sometime between 1794 and 1824. The drawing depicts two men fighting in the center of a ring of onlookers. Goya lived through a tumultuous period in Spanish history. The Enlightenment challenged traditional social hierarchies and religious beliefs. The French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars brought political upheaval and violence to Spain. Goya's work often reflects these social and political tensions. This image of a brawl can be interpreted as a commentary on the violence and social disorder that he witnessed. The crowd surrounding the fighters suggests the complicity of society in the spectacle of violence. For the historian, understanding Goya's world is key to understanding his art. By researching the social and political history of Spain, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the artist's vision and his role as a critical observer of his time.