Loyalty

The centre of the composition is occupied by a repulsive and unpleasant figure, in a beatific pose with his hands clasped, his head swollen and sitting on a chair with his bare feet. Around him, to the right and left, a group of figures mock him. Only a small dog stands faithfully at his feet. In the background, to the right, a figure on horseback watches the mockery in the half-light.

The ugly and nauseating protagonist seems to be aware of his appearance, as he remains impassive in the face of the attack he is suffering, unable to defend himself. Goya probably intended to ridicule those who remain entrenched and immobile in their own convictions, closing their eyes to reality, not noticing how they are mocked, and criticising the hypocrisy of those who believe they are their loyal servants. It is also conjectured that the protagonist was ill, because a figure in the group on the left points a large syringe at him, making the picture a criticism of doctors, as Goya's lack of sympathy for doctors is well known.

The print is characterised by the use of a two-tone aquatint: a medium tone for the figures and the ground, and a darker tone for the background.

The preparatory drawing for the present print, also entitled Loyalty, has survived.