The artwork titled “Where is mother going?” was created by Francisco Goya in 1799 as part of his series “Los Caprichos”. This piece, executed using aquatint and etching on paper, is a fine example of the Romanticism art movement. The artwork measures 21.5 x 15.5 cm and is categorized as a caricature.
“Where is mother going?” by Francisco Goya features a group of fantastical creatures in a dynamic and somewhat disturbing configuration. A prominent figure appears to be a witch or hag, flying or carried by several goblin-like beings with mischievous and eerie expressions. She holds a writhing infant in her claws, and her open-mouthed expression adds to the nightmarish quality of the scene. Below them, a figure crawls on all fours, adding a sense of feral behavior to the composition. The background is dark and only faintly suggests a landscape, which pushes the viewer’s focus onto the tumultuous group of figures. The etching is rich in texture and depth, depicting a tense moment that evokes a sense of chaos and fear, in keeping with the common themes of Romanticism that often explored the dark and irrational aspects of human experience. The artwork also reflects Goya’s critical perspective on society and human nature.
