The artwork “Feminine Folly” is a creation of the artist Francisco Goya, tentatively dated between the years 1819 and 1824. It belongs to the Romanticism movement, and is an example of caricature within this genre. Goya employed the mediums of aquatint, etching, and paper to craft this piece, which is part of the “Disparate” series. The dimensions of the artwork are approximately 24 x 35 cm.
The artwork showcases a dynamic and somewhat chaotic scene, dominated by the presence of various figures engaged in what appears to be a frenetic dance or activity. The central focus is on a group of elegantly dressed women who are portrayed in a caricatured manner, with exaggerated movements and postures, indicating the folly the title suggests. One can observe fine details and contrasts in the depiction of the fabrics and textures of the garments, highlighting Goya’s skillful use of the aquatint technique to create varying shades of light and dark. The dark background intensifies the sense of a void or an unspecified night-time setting, heightening the enigmatic and dreamlike atmosphere characteristic of Goya’s later works. There’s also a surreal element, as a male figure appears to be floating or falling in the background, adding to the dreamlike and absurd quality of the scene. The composition invites viewers to reflect on the nature of human behavior and societal norms through the lens of satire, typical of Goya’s critical eye.
