Renounce the Friend Who Covers You with His Beak [Flying Folly] c. 1813 - 1820

Editor: Goya's etching, "Renounce the Friend Who Covers You with His Beak," created sometime between 1813 and 1820, presents this striking image of a figure riding some kind of bizarre winged creature. There's a definite feeling of anxiety here. I am struck by how unsettling the scene is. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Given the political and social climate of Spain during that period, it is easy to see how this imagery could reflect the anxieties of the time. Goya was working during the Napoleonic Wars and the subsequent restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, eras marked by violence, repression, and betrayal. Does knowing that change your initial read of it? Editor: Definitely. So you see the creature itself as a manifestation of those political anxieties? Curator: Precisely. It’s quite possible this “friend” that is referenced in the title is meant to be interpreted satirically, aimed towards those in power, as loyalty to a leader is literally riding on top of this frightening, bird-like monster with outstretched wings. It speaks volumes about how the institution of leadership itself was evolving during this time. What do you make of the way Goya uses aquatint here, this hazy, grey tonality? Editor: It adds to the feeling of unease, that indistinct quality. Curator: Right, Goya frequently uses aquatint to create atmosphere, and here it almost feels like a fog of political uncertainty, blurring the lines between friend and foe, loyalty and betrayal. I now consider the public’s reception to this work, which allows one to see that art had an incredible impact. Editor: So the haziness is both an artistic choice and a political statement in and of itself. That's fascinating! I see it in a new light. Thanks!