binding: mottled calf, gilt tooled with a green panel on spine lettered: CAPRICH DE GOYA; endpapers: contemporary Spanish marbled papers

Mala noche, 1797-1798

Not on Viewexpand_more

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.

Details
Title
Mala noche
Artist Life
1746–1828
Role
Artist
Accession Number
P.83.57.36
Provenance
Hans Wolff, Antiquariat, Munich (extract from May, 1930 catalogue tipped in); Paul Leemann, Zurich (Ex-Libris see Lugt Suppl. 2095a); Sale Sotheby's, New York, November 19, 1982, lot 507 (est. KO-PROM); sold for STM (+ 10%) MIA pd PLTM less ATM in trade for another set of Caprichos
Catalogue Raisonne
Harris; Delteil
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know

Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.

binding: mottled calf, gilt tooled with a green panel on spine lettered: CAPRICH DE GOYA; endpapers: contemporary Spanish marbled papers