Description
The painting "already collapsed" (1799) by Francisco Goya is one of the most representative works of his stage of social criticism through art, encapsulating the brutality and irony of the human condition in a Spanish context that was still debated between the old regime and the incipient illustrated ideas. This work belongs to a series of tapestry cards that Goya painted, initially commissioned to decorate the walls of the Spanish court. However, "they are already collapsed" departs from the decorative context and enters a darker and more critical narrative.
In the composition, we see a gloomy scene where several figures are grouped in the foreground. The characters are shown as if they belonged to a gloomy landscape, which implies a sense of desolation. The central figure, a man who seems to wear a black hood, evokes a feeling of detachment, with features that blur in the shadows. The other men, who, like him, are dressed in austere, seem to be mired in resignation. His positions, a mixture of anguish and determination, hints have been stripped of their dignity, symbolized by the act of being "collapsed."
The use of color is essential for the interpretation of the work. Goya uses a dark palette, predominated by the tones of brown and black, with gray touches that seem to absorb light. This choice not only establishes a serious environment, but also highlights the vulnerability of the characters. The heavens are dark and chaotic, suggesting an imminent storm, which intensifies the drama of the work. This melancholic atmosphere could be interpreted as a metaphor for political instability of the time.
As for the technique, Goya uses a style that oscillates between realism and symbolism, adopting an almost expressionist approach that avoids idealizing its subjects. The figures are painted in a loose way, with contours that seem to blur, which adds to the feeling of despair and chaos. Unlike in their more conventional portraits, in "they are already collapsed" we see individuals who lack the typical grandeur of the aristocracy; These men, although they could be considered as marginal characters of society, are presented to us with a heartbreaking humanity.
A moving aspect of this painting is its historical resonance. When referring to oppression and suffering of the people, Goya surprisingly advances the themes that would become central in modern art. His ability to capture human tragedy is remarkable and his social criticism, rich in irony and compassion, invites reflection on the injustices of life. It is possible that Goya, through these images, tries to sensitize his audience towards the ravages that power and war inflict on the human being.
Through the aesthetics and visual narration of "They are already collapsed", Goya offers us a work that transcends his time and context, challenging the viewer to face the pain and vulnerability we all share. It is a testimony of his genius as an observer and analyst of the human condition, and his legacy is perpetuated in the way in which these images continue to resonate with contemporary struggles for justice and dignity. In this sense, Goya is not only an artist of the 18th century, but a precursor to the concerns that art would continue to define in the coming centuries.
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