A parrot/owl-like bird holds something in his foot. It sits on a table over a crowd sitting on the floor with open mouths.
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What a golden beak! (Que pico de Oro!)

Goya, Francisco

etched 1794-1798, published 1803

Artwork Information

  • Title:

    What a golden beak! (Que pico de Oro!)

  • Artist:

    Goya, Francisco

  • Artist Bio:

    Spanish, 1746–1828

  • Date:

    etched 1794-1798, published 1803

  • Medium:

    Etching and aquatint

  • Dimensions:

  • Credit Line:

    Wichita Art Museum, Gift of Mr. Robert Fizzell

  • Object Number:

    1964.2.53

  • Display:

    Not Currently on Display

About the Artwork

This looks like an academic meeting. Who knows if the parrot is speaking on some medical subject? But one shouldn’t take his word. There is many a doctor who has a golden beak when he is talking and becomes a Herod when prescribing. He discusses diseases perfectly well but doesn’t cure them. He beguiles the sick and fills the churchyard with skulls.

 

Esto tiene trazas de junta académica. ¿Quién sabe si el papagayo estará hablando de medicina? Pero no hay que creerlo sobre su palabra. Médico hay que quando habla es un pico de oro y quando receta un Erodes; discurre perfectamente de las dolencias y no las cura; enboba a los enfermos y atesta los cementerios de calaberas.