Plate 30 from 'La Tauromaquia': Pedro Romero killing the halted bull
Original title: Plate 30 from "La Tauromaquia": Pedro Romero killing the halted bull
kurzbeschreibung
Goya dedicates the 30th plate of his Tauromaquia to the famous bullfighter Pedro Romero, who kills the stopped bull. This etching with burnished aquatint and burin, made in 1816, belongs to a series of 33 prints that narrate the history of Spanish bullfighting.
Description
In the foreground, a bull moves to the left, while a bullfighter stands facing it in a tense, dynamic pose. With his right hand he wields a lance and prepares to attack the bull. Behind the figures rises a stand where several spectators can be seen in various poses. The coloring remains monochrome, with different shades of gray produced by etching and aquatint. The light is evenly distributed, without visible shadows, which is typical of this technique.
Context
The Tauromaquia was created between 1815 and 1816, when Goya was recovering from the horrors of the Spanish War of Independence. In 1816 the series was first published in Madrid; it shows scenes from the history of Spanish bullfighting, from the Moors to contemporary practice. The Pedro Romero depicted here came from Ronda, was known for his precise technique, and is considered one of the founders of modern bullfighting.
Impact
Dramatic tension arises from the fighter's dynamic pose and the bull's massive presence. The monochrome gray palette gives the scene a serious, almost documentary atmosphere and emphasizes the moment of decision.
Technique
As an etching with burnished aquatint and burin, the process allows fine tonal gradations and a rich texture. Goya used this method to capture both the details of the figures and the atmosphere of the bullring.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)