The artwork titled “No one has seen us” was created by the esteemed artist Francisco Goya in 1799. This etching on paper belongs to the Romanticism art movement and is characterized as a caricature. With dimensions of 21.7 x 15.2 cm, it forms part of the renowned series “Los caprichos” by Goya. The artwork is presently held in a private collection.
The etching depicts three figures, possibly intended as satirical portrayals of contemporary individuals, closely huddled together and indulging in what appears to be a secretive or conspiratorial interaction. They are presented with exaggerated facial expressions, possibly meant to ridicule or convey a folly in human nature. One figure leans back against a barrel, holding a glass, while the other two lean in towards him, engrossed in the interaction, with one of them also holding a glass. The scene is shrouded in shadow, intensifying the secretive atmosphere. The phrase “Nadie nos ha visto” inscribed below suggests the irony or delusion of the figures believing they are unobserved, thereby underscoring a common human folly Goya might be critiquing – the naïveté of thinking one’s actions are unseen or without consequence. The careful rendering of textures and expressions through etching techniques demonstrates Goya’s skill in using this medium to convey complex themes of human behavior, social criticism, and narrative.
