Ridiculous Folly (Disparate Ridículo)

Currently not on view

Ridiculous Folly (Disparate Ridículo)

c. 1815-1823, published 1864

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (Spanish, 1746–1828) Printed in the workshop of Laurenciano Potenciano, Madrid (mid- 19th century) Published by Real Academia de Nobles Artes de San Fernando

Many of the compositions in Goya’s etchings from the Los Proverbios (The Proverbs) series appear to allude visually to Spanish sayings that impart particular social, religious, or political meanings, although such references are not always obvious to viewers today. In this scene, the flock of people in a dead tree may refer to the Spanish adage “to walk along the branches,” meaning to be overly concerned with what is least important.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Titles:

Ridiculous Folly (Disparate Ridículo)
From the series Los Disparates ("The Follies"), Published as plate 3 in Los Proverbios (The Proverbs) by Real Academia de Nobles Nobles Artes de San Fernando, Madrid, 1864

Date:

c. 1815-1823, published 1864

Artists:

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (Spanish, 1746–1828) Printed in the workshop of Laurenciano Potenciano, Madrid (mid- 19th century) Published by Real Academia de Nobles Artes de San Fernando

Medium:

Etching and aquatint

Dimensions:

Plate: 9 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches (24.1 x 34.9 cm) Sheet: 13 3/16 × 19 5/8 inches (33.5 × 49.8 cm)

Classification:

Prints

Credit Line:

Gift of Marion B. F. Ingersoll, 1955

Accession Number:

1955-62-3

Geography:

Printed in Madrid, Spain, Europe

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Currently not on view