The artwork titled “Fine advice” is a creation of the artist Francisco Goya, dating back to the year 1799. This piece, executed as an etching on paper, is part of the Romanticism art movement and falls under the caricature genre. The artwork, measuring 22 cm by 15.4 cm, belongs to Goya’s series “Los caprichos” and is currently housed in a private collection.
The artwork depicts two figures engaging in an intimate conversation. The figure on the left appears to be an older individual with small, keen features and a somewhat mischievous or cunning expression, offering some form of counsel or secret to the younger, elegant woman seated to the right. The contrast between the characters is immediately striking, as the youthful woman is portrayed with a sense of refined beauty in her poise and attire, which includes a dark, sumptuous dress and a delicate frilled scarf.
The room around them is cast in shadows, implying that the exchange might be private and not meant for prying eyes. This setting serves to amplify the mysterious or conspiratorial nature of their interaction. Goya’s sharp lines and the meticulous detail in the etching suggest a narrative beyond what is seen, typical of his work in “Los caprichos,” where he often explored themes of societal norms and human follies through visual satire and allegory. The caption “Bellos consejos” further accentuates the ironic or sardonic undertone of the piece, as it translates to “Beautiful advice,” hinting at a potentially deceptive or ill-intentioned guidance being offered by the older figure.
