The artwork in question is an etching on paper, created by the artist Francisco Goya in the year 1799. This piece, measuring 21.7 by 15.2 cm, falls within the Romanticism movement and belongs to the genre of caricature. It is a part of the series titled “Los Caprichos” and is currently held within a private collection. The title of the artwork translates to “Are you … Well, as I was telling you. Eh! Be careful or…”.
In the artwork, the scene presented appears to be a satirical and exaggerated illustration of three figures involved in a seemingly intimate and cautious interaction. The central figure is an older individual, possibly a man, who seems to be engaged in conversation or delivering a warning to another person. Dressed in traditional attire, with a bandage around his head and a cane for support, his facial expression is one of earnest engagement, perhaps revealing a moment of advice or gossip.
To the right of this central figure, there is another character, noticeably larger and more foreboding, leaning in with a hand to their mouth as if whispering or displaying concern. This figure provides a contrasting backdrop to the older man, with his bulky presence and shadowy features contributing to the mood of secrecy or conspiracy that the artwork suggests.
The figure on the left is more obscure, partially merging with the shadows, wearing a dark hat and appearing to listen intently or perhaps waiting to interject. The interactions between these characters, their expressions, and postures, all infused with elements of caricature, likely serve to invoke the viewer’s contemplation on the human condition, societal behaviors, or specific contextual issues contemporary to Goya’s time.
The text beneath the figures seems to be dialogue or annotation related to the scene, further intensifying the narrative quality of the etching. In its entirety, the composition reflects the themes characteristic of “Los Caprichos,” where Goya often critiqued the follies and vices of his society through his work’s dark humor and imaginative depiction.
