This is “The Dog.” It is probably one of the most enigmatic of the black paintings. At this moment of his life, Goya has seen hell up close, which might be why this painting is so poignant. It’s the work of a man who is frightened. It was heavily damaged when taken down from the wall where it was painted. For a while, people even thought it was unfinished.
If you look closely, the dog is gazing up, towards the upper right corner. An empty space. What is the dog looking at, buried there in the sand? At something in particular or just the void? Why do we identify with him?
-from the 2009 Spanish film, Castillos de Cartón, directed by Salvador García Ruiz, adapted from the novel by Almudena Grandes. In America, this film is unfortunately titled “3some”… and that’s probably why I watched it
on the other side of the Other.