The artwork in question is an etching on paper by Francisco Goya, crafted in the year 1799 and entitled “They say ‘yes’ and give their hand to the first comer”. This piece is a part of the series “Los caprichos” and is attributed to the Romanticism movement. The etching’s dimensions are 21.9 x 15.2 cm, and it falls under the genre of caricature. Currently, the artwork is housed within a private collection.
The artwork presents a scene rich in social commentary, a characteristic tendency of Goya’s work. It showcases a young woman in the foreground who appears to be the subject of attention from several grotesquely depicted figures surrounding her. These figures seem to be eagerly vying for the lady’s attention or approval. The composition creates a sense of depth and focus on the main interaction, emphasizing its social satire. The etching embodies the Romantic era’s penchant for expressing individual and collective human experiences and often explored themes of social critique and human folly. Goya’s deft handling of shadow and light accentuates the figures’ expressions and the scene’s emotional undertone, enhancing the satirical impact of the work. The inscription beneath the image complements its satirical narrative, often serving as a caption that adds an additional layer of meaning to the visual elements.
