Plate 8 from 'Tauromaquia': A moor caught by the bull in the ring
Original title: Plate 8 from "Tauromaquia": A moor caught by the bull in the ring
kurzbeschreibung
This print, 'A Moor Caught by the Bull in the Arena', comes from Goya's series 'Tauromaquia', made around 1816. It shows a bullfighter taken by surprise and thrown to the ground by the bull. The etching combines aquatint, drypoint and bitten lines.
Description
A man lies on the ground, seized by a bull that stands over him. With its head lowered, the animal charges, and its force is palpable. Two spectators watch from the barrier. The layout is asymmetrical, drawing the eye to the central clash. Greys and diffuse light model the bodies and bring out the contours.
Context
Goya made the 'Tauromaquia' between 1815 and 1816, at a time when he was increasingly critical of violence and human cruelty. The series consists of 33 etchings showing scenes from the history of bullfighting, from antiquity to the present. This sheet takes up a historical incident recorded in chronicles, in which a Moor died in the arena. It was published in 1816 as part of an edition of 320 copies.
Impact
The print feels immediate and threatening because it captures a moment of danger without glossing over it. The restrained colour and strong lines heighten the drama and make the scene intense. Viewers witness a brutal encounter in which Goya's fascination with the raw power of bullfighting comes through.
Technique
To achieve fine transitions of light and shadow, Goya combined etching, burnished aquatint and drypoint. Soft tonal values come from the aquatint, while drypoint adds precise details and textures. The print was pulled on paper measuring about 33 × 42.7 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)