The Witches' Sabbath
- Original dimensions
- 30 x 43 cm
Scene depicted
The canvas "The Witches' Sabbath" depicts a dark assembly where witches and demons gather around a gigantic goat, a symbol of the threat of evil. In a chaotic setting, the scene portrays madness and debauchery, reinforcing the disturbing atmosphere of the pictorial work. With a glance, Goya draws us into a universe where reason falters before the mystical, leaving us in a state of disoriented contemplation.
Historical context
Œuvre : The Witches' Sabbath |BRK| Artiste : Francisco de Goya |BRK| Année : 1798 |BRK| Musée : Lazaro Galdiano Museum |BRK| Dimensions : 30 x 43 cm |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
This canvas marks a crucial milestone in Goya's career, reflecting his period of maturity as he moves away from conventions to embrace dark themes. Alongside other works such as The Maids of Honor and The Third of May 1808 , one can observe an evolution in the use of light and composition that underscores the transition from beauty to anguish.
Anecdote
Francisco de Goya , in a moment of intense inspiration, reportedly stated: "Art must reflect not only beauty but also the darkness of the human soul." This thought resonates particularly when contemplating the masterpiece that is The Witches' Sabbath . Evoking the shadow and light of a dawn, its gaze delves into the mysteries of a world that everyone fears to unveil.