The artwork titled “She is well pulled down,” created by Francisco Goya in 1799, is an etching on paper that is part of the artistic movement known as Romanticism. This piece is a caricature from the series “Los Caprichos,” and it measures 21.9 cm by 15.3 cm. As the artwork resides in a private collection, its accessibility to the public is limited.
The subject of the artwork presents us with a somewhat dark and satirical scene. It features two figures, one appears to be an old woman with her face distorted into a grimace as she is being pulled down onto a bed or surface by another figure, presumably a younger woman or attendant. The younger woman’s back is towards the viewer, showing only the back side of her body and her bent over posture. Both figures are enveloped in darkness, with the setting obscured, focusing the viewer’s attention on the interaction between them.
The underlying tone of the artwork, consistent with Goya’s critical eye, seems to reflect social commentary, denouncing some aspect of human nature or societal norm during the time. This depiction, loaded with emotion and movement, captures the essence of Romanticism by evoking a sense of drama and depth through the contrast of light and heavy etching strokes. The text at the bottom of the artwork further implies a narrative or message, but without the context of the series and Goya’s intentions, it can be open to interpretation.
