Capricho 42: Tu Que No Puedes (You Who Cannot)

This Capricho by Fransisco de Goya is meant to symbolize the dynamics of society during his time. He portrays the wealthy as donkeys, or asses, that are riding on the backs of the working lower class.

His use of light and dark in this particular piece both emphasizes physical qualities as well as metaphorical. Since wealth is considered to be well respected, the donkeys, or upper class members, are very light. Although, Goya did pay special attention to the muscles in the donkeys. The poor, dirty from physical labor, are much darker.

Goya also uses the darkness to show shadows. Shadows are a relatively simple detail, seemingly meaningless, but they fill up the space and create a more dynamic and full piece.