Hush

Details

Author's text

In this print, Goya rallies against faking manners and decency.

Two women are portrayed: A young lady whose courtly dress gives her high class status away, and an elderly woman whose rosary (held between her hands) helps her save face as a cautious and modest person.

The young lady is in need of a gossip, devotee, old woman who becomes a discreet link between her and her lovers. Given this circumstance, the young lady demands the elderly ’s silence, uttering: ‘Hush’.

Time goes by and this ‘save face’ behaviour crosses the boundary between the private and the public spheres, transforming itself into a shared attitude. Society is metaphorically, yet accurately portrayed by the young lady, as we crave after an opportunity to swell with pride our principles, wether they are real or imaginary: equality, freedom, solidarity, tolerance… Hence, this print perfectly illustrates a current term known as ‘political correctness’.

Goya's comment

She is the perfect mother for a position of trust

Comparison with the original print