Witches' Flight
1797 Museo del Prado
About this artwork
This oil painting on canvas is one of a series of six small cabinet paintings dealing with witchcraft subjects. It depicts three figures in pointed hats holding a naked man aloft against a dark background.
Did you know?
This painting belongs to a set of six works commissioned by the Dukes of Osuna for their country estate, 'La Alameda'. While Goya often utilized witchcraft as a satirical tool to critique superstition and the ignorance of Spanish society, this particular piece highlights his fascination with the grotesque and the irrational. The donkey, lurking in the corner, is a frequent symbol in Goya's work representing ignorance or a critique of human folly.
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Witches' Flight
Francisco Goya, 1797