Who painted The Proverbs: Feminine Folly?

The Proverbs: Feminine Folly was painted by Francisco Goya.

Where can I see The Proverbs: Feminine Folly?

The Proverbs: Feminine Folly is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Proverbs: Feminine Folly?

The Proverbs: Feminine Folly is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

The Proverbs: Feminine Folly

Francisco Goya

The Proverbs: Feminine Folly is a print by the Impressionist artist Francisco Goya. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Francisco de Goya’s print titled *The Proverbs: Feminine Folly* dates from 1864 and is part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The composition depicts a group of five women in elaborate historic costumes entangled in a large, billowing sheet, while a distorted, floating form hovers above them, creating a sense of confusion and tension.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents the women in various states of agitation—some laughing, others struggling—as they grapple with the chaotic drapery. The hovering, misshapen figure has been interpreted as a visual metaphor for deception or the consequences of falsehood, suggesting that the women are metaphorically caught in a web of lies or dramatic intrigue.

Technique & Style

Goya employs strong, black line work and dense cross‑hatching to generate a stark contrast between light and shadow, heightening the sense of disorder. The use of chiaroscuro emphasizes the three‑dimensionality of the tangled sheet and the eerie floating entity, while the bold outlines give the figures a graphic, almost caricatured quality.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑nineteenth century, the print entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the early twentieth century. Its provenance traces back to Goya’s own workshop, where it was produced as part of a series illustrating proverbial sayings, reflecting the artist’s interest in moral and social commentary.