Zij knappen zich op (They Spruce Themselves Up) - Francisco de Goya

A satirical etching from Goya's 'Los Caprichos' series, depicting grotesque figures engaged in a mundane grooming ritual to mock human vanity.

This etching, titled 'Zij knappen zich op' (They Spruce Themselves Up), is plate 51 from Francisco de Goya's celebrated series, 'Los Caprichos'. Published in 1799, the series functions as a biting social critique of Spanish society during the late eighteenth century. Goya employs the medium of etching combined with aquatint to create stark contrasts between light and shadow, which heightens the grotesque nature of his subjects.

The image depicts three monstrous figures engaged in a mundane, almost domestic act. One creature, possessing bat-like wings, carefully trims the toenails of another. A third figure watches from the background with a vacant, unsettling expression. By attributing human behaviours to these distorted, demonic beings, Goya mocks the vanity and superficiality of the aristocracy and the clergy. The figures are rendered with a combination of fine etched lines for the anatomy and soft, tonal aquatint washes that define the murky, oppressive atmosphere of the scene.

'Los Caprichos' represents a shift in Goya's career, moving away from the formal portraiture of the royal court toward a more personal, critical exploration of human folly. The artist uses the fantastical to expose the irrationality he perceived in the world around him. This print is a prime example of his ability to blend technical mastery with a dark, cynical wit. The composition is tight, focusing the viewer's attention on the absurdity of the grooming ritual. The lack of a defined background creates a sense of isolation, forcing the viewer to confront the unsettling nature of the characters directly. This work remains a powerful example of how printmaking can be used as a vehicle for social commentary and psychological observation.