The artwork titled “Nobody knows anybody” is a creation of the esteemed artist Francisco Goya from the year 1799. This etching on paper is a part of the Romanticism art movement and measures 21.9 cm by 15.3 cm. It falls under the caricature genre and is one of the pieces in the “Los caprichos” series. Currently, the artwork belongs to a private collection.
The artwork depicts a dark and somewhat satirical scene featuring several figures. The central character appears to be a man with a grotesquely exaggerated face, mocking the visage of nobility or authority, hinted by the hint of a uniform or elaborate attire he’s wearing. This character engages with another figure, a woman dressed elegantly, suggesting a social or conversational exchange. The intricacies of the etching contribute to a sense of motion and emotion within the scene. The dark tones and use of shadow accentuate the ambiguous and critical nature of the artwork, characteristic of Goya’s works from this period. The title “Nobody knows anybody,” combined with the artwork’s depiction, implies a critique of social pretenses or a reflection on the enigmatic aspects of human nature and relationships.
