Plate 29 of "La Tauromaquia": Pepe Illo making the pass of the 'recorte'
Original title: Plate 29 of "La Tauromaquia": Pepe Illo making the pass of the 'recorte'
kurzbeschreibung
In 1816, Goya made plate 29 of his etching series 'La Tauromaquia'. It shows the bullfighter Pepe Illo executing the 'recorte', a move in which the bull is guided past the fighter at close range. The etching, executed in aquatint, drypoint and burin, belongs to a group of 33 plates devoted to bullfighting in Spain.
Description
A man in a hat pushes the bull back, his posture tense and powerful. Behind him, riders with lances steer the animal. A brick wall frames the action and marks the arena. The black-and-white with harsh light-dark contrasts heightens the force of the moment. The layout brings the interaction between man and beast to the fore.
Context
Between 1815 and 1816, Goya created 'La Tauromaquia' during a period of political unrest following the Spanish War of Independence. The series first appeared in Madrid in 1816 and treats various aspects of bullfighting, from historical motifs to scenes of the present. Pepe Illo, a celebrated bullfighter of the late 18th century, had died in the arena in 1801, which lends his portrait a historical depth.
Impact
The stark light contrasts and the dynamic arrangement create gripping tension. Reduced to man and animal, the print gains a timeless, almost dramatic note. Goya's stroke appears energetic and captures the movement of bullfighting without getting lost in details.
Technique
Etching with burnished aquatint, drypoint and burin: this produces fine tonal gradations alongside strong lines. The aquatint was burnished in places to achieve soft transitions, while drypoint and burin provide precise details and textures. The paper size of 30.5 × 43.5 cm corresponds to the usual format of the series.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)