The artwork titled “Don’t scream, silly” is an etching on paper created by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya in 1799. It is a piece belonging to the Romanticism movement, with dimensions of 21.8 x 15.1 cm. The genre of this artwork is caricature, and it forms part of the “Los Caprichos” series. Currently, the artwork is held in a private collection.
Upon examining the artwork, we observe a scene depicted in a sketch-like manner, employing strong chiaroscuro to create dramatic contrasts. The central figures are two characters engaged in what appears to be an aggressive encounter. The dominant figure, cloaked and with an obscured face, is reaching out towards a visibly distressed woman who recoils in fear. The posture and gesticulation of the cloaked figure suggest a commanding and possibly menacing presence. The woman’s expression, marked by wide eyes and an open mouth, conveys shock or fright. The text “No grites, tonta” which translates to “Don’t scream, silly,” is inscribed below, implying a dismissive or reproachful tone towards the woman’s reaction. Goya’s etching technique endows the scene with dynamism and a textured quality that accentuates the emotional tension of the interaction.