Happy Halloween! In this very brief excerpt from my lecture “Things That Go Bump: A Visual Survey of Witches, Demons, and Ghosts,” we introduce Goya’s 1797/99 published volume The Caprices (Los Caprichos). This tome of nightmares, witches, and devils satirizes human vice and intolerance of late 18th century Spanish society through the demons born of religion and power. We conclude with a brief glimpse at our modern icon of the Wicked Witch through the lens of art history and tradition. For greater depth, background, and context, watch episode 59, A Witches’ Sabbath.
For images of the featured works of art, visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/86.
Featured Work of Art:
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (Spanish, 1746-1828)
“The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters,” plate 43
“When Day Breaks We Will Be Off,” plate 71
“Pretty Teacher!” Plate 68
From Los Caprichos, 1797/99
(Museo Nacional del Prado)
