DISCOVERART

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes

A Woman and a Horse, Let Someone Else Master Them, plate ten from Los Proverbios

1815/24
Etching with aquatint and drypoint in black on ivory wove paper
21.2 × 31.5 cm (8.3 × 12.4 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This darkly satirical interpretation of a popular proverb demonstrates the equally unruly nature of equine and womankind. Twisting and rearing in a desolate landscape, the horse becomes both a violent abductor and a tender savior as he tries to catch the struggling woman’s dress in his teeth before she plummets to the ground.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes

The Hanged MonkThe Hanged MonkFriar Pedro Wrests the Gun from El MaragatoFriar Pedro Wrests the Gun from El MaragatoFriar Pedro Shoots El Maragato as His Horse Runs OffFriar Pedro Shoots El Maragato as His Horse Runs OffPortrait of Isidoro MaiquezPortrait of Isidoro MaiquezWinter SceneWinter SceneFriar Pedro Offers Shoes to El Maragato and Prepares to Push Aside His GunFriar Pedro Offers Shoes to El Maragato and Prepares to PushFriar Pedro Clubs El Maragato with the Butt of the GunFriar Pedro Clubs El Maragato with the Butt of the GunFriar Pedro Binds El Maragato with a RopeFriar Pedro Binds El Maragato with a Rope

More like this

'The horse abductor' from the 'Disparates' (Follies / Irrationalities)Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes) — 'The horse abductor' 'The horse abductor' from the 'Disparates' (Follies / Irrationalities)Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes) — 'The horse abductor' The Proverbs: The Horse-AbductorFrancisco de Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828) — The Proverbs: The Bullfights: Charles V spearing a bullFrancisco de Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828) — Bullfights: CharlePlate 10 from 'La Tauromaquia': Charles V spearing a bull in the ring at ValladolidGoya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes) — Plate 10 from 'La TauBullfights: The Death of Pepe Illo (3rd Composition)Francisco de Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828) — Bullfights: The DePlate 10 from "La Tauromaquia": Charles V spearing a bull in the ring at ValladolidGoya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes) — Plate 10 from "La TauThere Were Struggles and Vain Victories, plate 6 of 8 from "Les Origines"Odilon Redon — There Were Struggles and Vain Victories, platBullfights: The Way in Which the Ancient Spaniards Hunted Bulls on Horseback in the Open CountryFrancisco de Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828) — Bullfights: The WaBullfights: The Same Man Throws a Bull in the Ring at MadridFrancisco de Goya (Spanish, 1746–1828) — Bullfights: The Sa'Folly of Fear' from the 'Disparates' (Follies / Irrationalities)Goya (Francisco de Goya y Lucientes) — 'Folly of Fear' from Faust and Mephistopheles Galloping Through the Night of the Witches' SabbathEugène Delacroix — Faust and Mephistopheles Galloping Throug