Time of the Old Women Francisco Jose De Goya y Lucientes (1746-1828)

The composition presents a stark and unsettling scene dominated by a sense of impending doom. Two women occupy the foreground, seated on chairs that appear almost skeletal in their construction. The woman on the left is draped in dark fabric, her face partially obscured by shadow and a veil, revealing only a skull-like visage. She holds a scroll bearing the inscription Quien fala? (Who speaks?). The other woman, positioned to her right, wears a pale, shimmering gown and appears to be engaged in needlework, seemingly oblivious to the spectral presence looming over them.
Behind these figures stands a gaunt, skeletal figure wielding a broom. Its posture is assertive, almost predatory, suggesting an imminent intrusion into their world. The background dissolves into a hazy, indistinct space, contributing to the overall atmosphere of disorientation and unease. Light emanates from an unseen source, illuminating the women while casting deep shadows that amplify the sense of foreboding.
The subtexts within this work are layered and complex. The inscription on the scroll introduces a theme of silence and perhaps a questioning of communication or truth. The oblivious needlework of one woman could be interpreted as a symbol of vanity or an unwillingness to confront reality, while the other’s veiled face might represent repressed knowledge or fear. The skeletal figures presence is clearly symbolic of mortality and the relentless passage of time, disrupting the womens perceived tranquility.
The artist seems to be exploring themes of aging, denial, and the fragility of human existence. There is a palpable critique of societal complacency and an unsettling commentary on the inevitability of death, presented not as a distant event but as an immediate and inescapable reality intruding upon everyday life. The overall effect is one of profound psychological tension and a disquieting reminder of mortalitys pervasive influence.