A radiant female figure beset by dark spirits
ca. 1812-20
Imagine standing in a spotlight while monsters creep up from the shadows—that's the vibe of this Goya drawing. A glowing woman in white, likely representing Truth or Virtue, is bathed in heavenly rays while grotesque, shadowy figures try to encroach on her space. Goya, the master of the macabre, created this around 1812 during the chaotic Peninsular War in Spain. It’s a visual metaphor for how reason and light can hold their ground against the dark forces of ignorance and superstition, a theme he obsessed over throughout his career.