London Radio Arts

When Goya painted ‘Witches’ Sabbath’, superstition was extremely widespread in Spanish culture. Rural peasants were easily persuaded of propaganda tales concerning perverted religion, corrupted women, and secret societies. To play on the fears of the lower classes, the Spanish conservatives and royalists would often employ witchcraft accusations. Goya understood the Inquisition as a deliberate retreat into medievalism and railed against such a reactionary move in both his art and his public life.

Painted while Goya was living alone in physical and mental despair at the age of 75, ‘Witches’ Sabbath’ forms part of his Black Paintings, which number 14. The Black Paintings were executed by Goya in oil directing onto the walls of his home which provided a hosting service for them, and were not intended for public exhibition. ‘Witches’ Sabbath’ reflects Goya’s disillusionment with the religious and political developments in Spain subsequent to the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1814.