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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.

Object Details

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