Goya y Lucientes, Francisco de – Vuelo de brujas Part 6 Prado Museum

The composition presents a nocturnal scene dominated by a profound darkness that serves as both backdrop and enveloping atmosphere. Several figures appear suspended in mid-air, seemingly propelled upwards into this void. Their forms are rendered with a loose brushstroke, contributing to an overall sense of instability and dreamlike unreality.
Above, three individuals are clustered together; their bodies are partially nude and draped in what appears to be ecclesiastical garments – tall hats or mitres – modified with wing-like extensions. The figures’ expressions are difficult to discern definitively, though a general air of ecstatic abandon is suggested by their gestures and postures. They appear to be engaged in some kind of ritualistic flight, propelled by an unseen force.
Below this aerial grouping, a solitary figure stands shrouded in a dark cloak, his face obscured. He appears to be observing the scene with a mixture of apprehension and perhaps reluctant participation. A prone body lies at his feet, seemingly unconscious or incapacitated. To the right, a horned animal – likely a goat – is depicted, further reinforcing associations with folklore and pagan symbolism.
The color palette is restrained, primarily utilizing dark browns, blacks, and muted greens and yellows to highlight the figures against the inky sky. The limited use of light creates dramatic contrasts and emphasizes the otherworldly nature of the event.
Subtly, the work seems to explore themes of superstition, societal anxieties, and the potential for transgression. The juxtaposition of religious iconography with pagan imagery suggests a critique of established authority or perhaps an exploration of repressed desires and beliefs. The obscured face of the observer invites speculation about complicity and responsibility within a system that permits – or even encourages – such extraordinary occurrences. The painting’s ambiguity allows for multiple interpretations, leaving the viewer to grapple with the unsettling implications of what is depicted.