Disparate femenino (Feminine Folly)

Disparate femenino (Feminine Folly) is a powerful print created by Francisco Goya in 1816, executed primarily through etching and aquatint, with possible additions of drypoint. This piece belongs to the secretive and profoundly critical series known as the Disparates (Follies) or Proverbios (Proverbs), a body of graphic work that was not published until decades after the artist's death. The combination of etching for the detailed line work and aquatint for rich tonal variation creates the dramatic light and shadow characteristic of Goya’s late output.

The work dates from the highly transitional and turbulent period between 1801 to 1825, following Goya’s exile from the Spanish court and the trauma of the Peninsular War. Reflecting his growing cynicism regarding human nature and political stability, Goya utilized the print medium to convey chaotic, complex scenes of social anxiety, superstition, and human folly. Unlike his earlier, more straightforward satirical series, Disparate femenino is intentionally ambiguous and open to multiple interpretations, often depicting figures caught in moments of absurd or terrifying activity. The subject matter suggests a critique of desire or uncontrolled social behavior, presented through fragmented narratives.

Goya’s experimentation with graphic techniques revolutionized the medium of prints. He utilized the dense, painterly effects of aquatint to heighten the emotional intensity of his subjects, ensuring that these late compositions retain a powerful, psychological resonance. This artistic strategy placed the work firmly within the complex Spanish tradition of dark romanticism and provided a lasting record of the era's social unrest.

This significant impression, illustrating the technical mastery of the aging artist, is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Recognizing the enduring impact of Goya's graphic output, high-resolution reproductions of such important historical prints are frequently made available to the public through public domain initiatives, ensuring the accessibility of the master’s legacy.