Who painted Disparate femenino (Feminine Folly)?

Disparate femenino (Feminine Folly) was painted by Francisco Goya in 1816.

Where can I see Disparate femenino (Feminine Folly)?

Disparate femenino (Feminine Folly) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Disparate femenino (Feminine Folly)?

Disparate femenino (Feminine Folly) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Disparate femenino (Feminine Folly)

Francisco Goya , 1816

Disparate femenino (Feminine Folly) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1816, *Disparate femenino* (Feminine Folly) is a print by Francisco Goya that combines etching, aquatint and possibly drypoint techniques. The work belongs to a series of satirical images in which Goya examined human absurdities, focusing here on a chaotic scene involving several women and a clown‑like figure.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents five women in elaborate dresses surrounding a man dressed as a clown. They lift a long blanket, resembling a mattress, while the men is thrust upward, their faces animated with laughter. The title suggests a commentary on perceived female frivolity, aligning with Goya’s broader interest in exposing vanity and irrational behavior.

Technique & Style

Goya employed swift, sketch‑like lines to convey movement, while the aquatint provides a muted, atmospheric background that keeps attention on the figures. The contrast between the relatively plain rendering of clothing and the energetic gestures emphasizes the scene’s dynamism and the satirical tone.

History & Provenance

The print is part of Goya’s later graphic output, produced after his earlier series of political and social critiques. It reflects his shift toward more personal, allegorical subjects during the post‑Napoleonic period, though specific ownership records for this particular impression are limited.

Context

Created during a time of political upheaval in Spain, the work follows Goya’s engagement with Romantic sensibilities and his reputation for incisive social observation. The series of etchings and aquatints to which it belongs interrogates the contradictions of contemporary society, using humor and exaggeration as tools of critique.