Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes

Date

1797–98

Medium

Etching and aquatint

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Francisco Goya’s series Los Caprichos contains layers of meaning that even today challenge the modern viewer. Mia’s copy is a rare presentation proof containing early printings of all eighty images. In the first half, Goya explored themes of superstition, sensuality, greed, and violence with scenes set in Spanish brothels, salons, and prisons. The second half is given over to fantastic images from the artist’s dreams and nightmares. Even though Goya tried to disguise his attacks on Spanish society, he withdrew the set from sale because he had been reported to the Inquisition, a tribunal that ruled with lethal authority. Spain, Europe

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