Artwork
Wait Till You've Been Anointed, Plate 67
Wait Till You've Been Anointed, Plate 67 is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1799 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Wait Till You've Been Anointed, Plate 67, a print by Francisco de Goya circa 1799, is part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. The work depicts a somber, enigmatic scene with three distorted figures and a donkey-headed character, evoking a sense of tension and foreboding.
Subject & Meaning
The print features three figures in a dark, ambiguous setting: one hunched over a bowl, another crouching beside him, and a dominant, donkey-headed figure looming with outstretched arms. This bizarre character may symbolize the absurdity or danger of newfound power, as suggested by the cautionary title, which implies a warning about the consequences of assuming authority.
Technique & Style
Goya's use of dark, indistinct backgrounds and twisted, shadowy forms in this print exemplifies the dramatic and emotionally charged qualities associated with the emerging Romantic movement. The stark, expressive contrasts and the emphasis on the grotesque contribute to the work's intense, unsettling atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created around 1799, the print is now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art. While specific details about its creation or early ownership are not provided, its style and themes align with Goya's explorations of social commentary and the human condition during this period.
Context
This work can be contextualized within the broader artistic shift towards Romanticism, where artists employed dramatic, often unsettling imagery to convey moral and social critiques. Goya's piece, with its surreal and cautionary elements, reflects this tendency to use the bizarre to comment on the human experience.
Legacy
As part of Goya's oeuvre, 'Wait Till You've Been Anointed, Plate 67' contributes to the artist's legacy of innovative, socially conscious art. Its themes of power and caution continue to resonate, making it a subject of interest for scholars and viewers exploring the intersection of art and social commentary.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
