They Spruce Themselves Up by Francisco Goya (Interpretation and Analysis)

They Spruce Themselves Up
Source: The MET

Today, I want to return to talking about my favorite subject: Francisco Goya’s Los Caprichos series.

In this etching, They Spruce Themselves Up (Se Repulen), we see three unidentifiable creatures, busily engaged in clipping their nails and otherwise “sprucing themselves up.” Contemporary viewers interpreted these gruesome figures corrupt government officials. In fact, The Biblioteca Nacional Commentary— a contemporary commentary located in the Madrid National Library—noted that “the employees that rob the state help and support each other. Their chief lifts up his neck and he makes shade for them with his monstrous wings.”

However, on a more literal level, the image is a commentary on vanity, a theme that Goya explored throughout his work, especially within Los Caprichos. Goya’s absurd print points out that even these grotesque creatures have their vanity, even though no amount of “sprucing” will make them visually appealing.

Goya uses this ludicrous vanity to mirror the folly of human egotism. As art historian Janis Tomlinson, points out “these goblins are involved in vain activities previously thought endemic to man alone: they preen, they drink, they fight, they bow before greater powers, as do the men and women of Goya’s world.” This is one of many Caprichos that depicts supernatural creatures engaged in human activities, a satirical way to criticize contemporary Spanish society. Goya had an enlightened contempt for pointless vanity, valuing evidence-based information over false pretenses.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.