Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de – El pelele Part 2 Prado Museum

The composition presents a peculiar scene unfolding outdoors. Four women are positioned at ground level, their attention focused on a man suspended in mid-air. They hold taut a large cloth or sheet, seemingly supporting his weight and propelling him upwards. The mans posture is awkward; he appears to be falling forward, his face obscured by what seems to be a mask or covering, lending an air of absurdity to the situation.
The women are dressed in attire indicative of a specific social class, their garments detailed with ribbons, lace, and elaborate hairstyles characteristic of the period. Their expressions range from amusement to detached observation, contributing to the unsettling nature of the event. The background reveals a landscape featuring architectural elements – what appears to be a classical building or villa – set against a cloudy sky. This backdrop provides depth but also serves to isolate the central action, emphasizing its strangeness.
The painting’s subtexts are layered and open to interpretation. The act itself – being lifted and seemingly propelled by others – can be viewed as a commentary on societal dependence and the precariousness of individual agency. The masked figures anonymity suggests a critique of social roles or perhaps a veiled self-portrait, hinting at an artist observing himself and his place within society. The women’s complicity in this unusual spectacle raises questions about power dynamics and the potential for manipulation within social structures.
The overall effect is one of unsettling humor and subtle satire. It avoids straightforward narrative, instead presenting a moment frozen in time that invites contemplation on themes of identity, societal expectations, and the often-absurd nature of human interaction. The muted color palette and dramatic lighting further enhance the painting’s enigmatic quality, leaving the viewer to grapple with its underlying meaning.