Asta su Abuelo - Francisco de Goya

A satirical etching from Goya's Los Caprichos series, depicting an anthropomorphic donkey tracing his lineage to mock aristocratic obsession with pedigree.

Asta su Abuelo (Even as his Grandfather) is plate 39 from Los Caprichos, a series of eighty prints published by Francisco de Goya in 1799. This work employs the artist's characteristic use of aquatint to create atmospheric depth and shadow, contrasting with the sharp, biting lines of the etching process. The scene depicts an anthropomorphic donkey seated at a desk, intently studying a genealogical book that traces a lineage of donkeys.

Goya uses this imagery to mock the Spanish aristocracy of the late eighteenth century, specifically targeting those who relied upon noble birth and ancestral records to justify their social status. By presenting the subject as a donkey, Goya suggests that such obsession with pedigree is both foolish and intellectually vacuous. The donkey, a recurring motif in Goya's work, serves as a symbol of ignorance and stubbornness. The figure is dressed in contemporary clothing, grounding the satire in the reality of the Spanish court and the broader social structures of the period.

The composition is focused and direct, drawing the viewer's eye to the open book where the repetitive illustrations of donkeys mirror the absurdity of the central figure's preoccupation. The use of aquatint provides a soft, granular texture that defines the interior space, allowing the figure to emerge from the darkness. This print remains a clear example of Goya's ability to combine technical mastery with biting social commentary. It invites reflection on the nature of vanity and the reliance on past achievements rather than personal merit. The work is a piece of historical critique, documenting the tensions within Spanish society during a period of transition.