Tag: cretinism
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Francisco Goya’s “black period”
Alejandro GoyriCarlos Valverde-RMéxico City, México In his so-called “black period,” Francisco Goya created a series of oil paintings, engravings, and drawings that depict witches and mentally or physically disabled individuals. This is particularly clear in the Witches’ Sabbath (1819-1823), in which the facial expression of most of the characters (especially of the young seated woman…
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The anonymous Olmec artisan and Velázquez
Alejandro GoyriAzcapotzalcoCarlos Valverde-RMéxico City, México In México, despite long-standing cultural domination by Catholic Spain, significant numbers Pre-Columbian figurines in terracotta, jade, clay, and other materials have survived. Some of these objects clearly represent persons afflicted by some disease. One such small sculpture that has attracted our attention is a delicate jade figurine from the ancient…