Plate 23 from "La Tauromaquia": Mariano Ceballos, alias the Indian, kills the bull from his horse
Original title: Plate 23 from "La Tauromaquia": Mariano Ceballos, alias the Indian, kills the bull from his horse
kurzbeschreibung
Plate 23 from Francisco de Goya's etching series 'La Tauromaquia' dates to 1816. It depicts Mariano Ceballos, known as 'the Indian', attacking a bull from horseback. Executed in etching with burnished aquatint, the image is part of the series on the history of Spanish bullfighting.
Description
A bull in motion dominates the foreground, closely pursued by a rider on horseback. The rider wears traditional bullfighting attire and uses a weapon to stop the animal. On a stand in the background, spectators watch the action, some excited, others calm. Dark greys and blacks with nuanced shading define the print and underscore its dynamism. The layout is horizontal and pushes the action forward.
Context
Between 1815 and 1816, Goya worked on the series 'La Tauromaquia', which appeared in Madrid in 1816. The etchings trace the history of Spanish bullfighting from its beginnings to the practice of the time. Mariano Ceballos, called 'el Indio', was a renowned horseman and bullfighter of his day. This plate belongs to a group of scenes that capture different techniques and moments of the bullfight.
Impact
The dark, monochrome treatment gives the scene a dramatic and historical mood. The moving confrontation between bull and rider creates immediate tension and draws the viewer into the event. Graded shadows deepen the space and heighten the movement of the figures.
Technique
Etching and burnished aquatint were used, a process that allows fine tonal gradations. After etching, the aquatint was partially burnished to achieve soft transitions and light effects. The plate measures 25 × 35.2 cm, the sheet 30.9 × 44.2 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)