Witchy Wednesdays, Goya Etchings!

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Welcome to this weeks Witchy Wednesday. For this weeks blog posting I thought it would be nice to share some of F Goya's artwork depicting Witches, Hobgoblins and otherworldly creatures. 


Witches' Sabbath 1797–1798
Oil on canvas.


Goya incorporated folklore into his work to critique superstition, religious and political power, and the human psyche. He depicted popular Spanish folklore, particularly themes of witchcraft and the supernatural, often to satirize the ignorance and fear that allowed institutions like the Spanish Inquisition to thrive. His work frequently uses these folkloric images as allegories for more contemporary events, such as political upheaval and the "devouring" nature of revolutions. 


Three old hags surround a basket of new-born babies with bats in the distance. Etching by F. Goya, 1796/98.

Three dwarf hobgoblins, two of them in monastic habits, drinking from tumblers. Aquatint by F. Goya, ca. 1797.
Goya, Francisco, 1746-1828.Date: [1796/1798]

Two naked witches riding on a broomstick accompanied by an owl. Etching by F. Goya, 1796/1798.
Goya, Francisco, 1746-1828.Date: [1796/1798]


For Goya, witches functioned as a symbol in his art. In his paintings, they represent the backwards social customs and superstition that plagued Spain at the time. Goya believed that Spain was being held back by a dogmatic adherence to medieval beliefs and superstition, which he subtly mocks in his witch paintings. 




Human figures, some with animal heads, praying. Etching by F. Goya, 1796/1798.
Goya, Francisco, 1746-1828.Date: [1796/1798]


A young woman flying in the air with a butterfly on her head, surrounded by three crouching figures by her feet. Etching by F. Goya, 1796/1798.
Goya, Francisco, 1746-1828.Date: [1796/1798]

A couple hovering off the ground being observed by a huge goat with two cats. Etching by F. Goya, 1796/1798.

Goya, Francisco, 1746-1828.Date: [1796/1798]


Links to information on Goya and his works. 

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francisco-Goya

https://www.franciscogoya.com/

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/francisco-de-goya

Thank you for visiting my blog please join me next week for another Witchy Wednesday. 

Witches flight.

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