A nun frightened by a ghost playing a guitar; page 65 from the "Images of Spain" Album (F)
Nightmarish scenes and visions pervade Goya’s drawings. In this one, a ghost strumming a guitar and singing awakens a young nun. The nun’s asceticism is implied by her vehement attempt to dispel the spectral robed musician, who has been interpreted as representing earthly temptations. His masklike face adds a comical note to the work, embodying the nun’s distorted perception that music is a demonic pleasure. Goya continually re-elaborated imagery to mock various societal vices—in this case, blind religious devotion.
Artwork Details
- Title: A nun frightened by a ghost playing a guitar; page 65 from the "Images of Spain" Album (F)
- Series/Portfolio: Images of Spain Album
- Artist: Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes) (Spanish, Fuendetodos 1746–1828 Bordeaux)
- Date: ca. 1812–20
- Medium: Brush and point of brush, brown ink washes, black chalk
- Dimensions: Sheet: 8 1/16 × 5 11/16 in. (20.5 × 14.4 cm)
- Classification: Drawings
- Credit Line: Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1935
- Object Number: 35.103.37
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes)
1799, posthumous impression
Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes)
ca. 1815–19 (published 1864)
Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes)
ca. 1815–19 (published 1864)
Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes)
ca. 1815–19 (published 1864)
Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes)
ca. 1815–19 (published 1864)
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