Artwork
Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull

Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull is a print created by Francisco de Goya in 1816, currently housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic moment in a bullfight where a picador falls under the bull, with another rider struggling to stay mounted. The scene conveys intense drama and peril.
Technique & Style
Goya employed strong light-dark contrasts, characteristic of chiaroscuro, to heighten the scene's intensity and direct the viewer's focus to the central action.
History & Provenance
Created in 1816, the work is part of Goya's oeuvre from a period marked by his exploration of darker, more emotionally charged themes.
Context
The print reflects Goya's fascination with bullfighting, a popular Spanish spectacle, and his ability to capture its brutal beauty and dynamic energy.
Legacy
As part of Goya's body of work, it contributes to his reputation as a master of capturing dramatic tension and exploring the human experience through printmaking.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.

















