El sueño de la razón produce monstruos

In 1799 Goya produced a series of 80 etchings known as Los Caprichos. These 'fantasies' satirise the vices and follies of contemporary Spanish society: Greedy monks, quack doctors, foolish aristocrats and predatory prostitutes are all held up for ridicule.This print acts as a chapter heading for the second part of the series, set in a nightmarish realm where witches and demons conceal the social satire. It shows the artist asleep at a worktable covered in papers and drawing instruments. Night creatures loom out of the darkness and an owl offers him a crayon holder.