Uncanny Visions: Paula Rego and Francisco de Goya

Both Goya and Rego have long been associated with the concept of the uncanny. Themes and imagery present in the work of both artists draw on a feeling of disconcerting and unsettling familiarity, whether through the absurdity of social rules – as observed by Goya – or the ruthlessness of childhood verses, as noted by Rego.  

The exhibition presents Goya’s Los Disparates (The Follies) (1815-1824), alongside Rego’s complete Nursery Rhymes, a series of over 30 etchings and aquatints. Exploring how two artists living a century apart resorted to similar visual motifs and narrative devices, the exhibition examines how Goya’s influence on Rego is apparent through the media and techniques she employed as well as through some of her themes and aesthetics. 

In addition to the uncanny, the exhibition explores notions common to both artists such as absurdity and satire, folklore, humour, violence, sensuality, deception, the supernatural, and animalisation. It includes drawings and 3D objects, including some of Rego’s studio props that are equally indebted to Goya in their depiction of mythical and fairy-tale characters. 

Embracing the wonderful, bizarre, and frightening aspects of human experience through the work of two Iberian artists, the exhibition will present the compositional and narrative mastery of two artistic giants.  

Supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation, the Tavolozza Foundation and Cristea Roberts Gallery.

Image credit: Paula Rego (1935 – 2022). ‘Little Miss Muffet II’, 1989 (hand coloured etching & aquatint). © Paula Rego. All rights reserved. 2024 Bridgeman Images