Artwork

Bullfights: The Same Man Throws a Bull in the Ring at Madrid

Bullfights:  The Same Man Throws a Bull in the Ring at Madrid, by Francisco Goya, 1816
Bullfights:  The Same Man Throws a Bull in the Ring at Madrid, by Francisco Goya, 1816

Bullfights: The Same Man Throws a Bull in the Ring at Madrid 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: The Same Man Throws a Bull in the Ring at Madrid is an 1816 print by Francisco de Goya, currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a pivotal moment in a bullfight, focusing on the intense interaction between a bullfighter and the bull, set against a backdrop of observation.

Technique & Style

Goya employed a dark, muted color scheme and bold brushstrokes to convey the dynamic energy and tension of the scene, characteristic of his expressive approach.

History & Provenance

Created in 1816, the work is part of Goya's output during a period of significant artistic innovation, now housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

This piece reflects Goya's engagement with the dramatic and often brutal spectacle of bullfighting, a popular subject in early 19th-century Spanish culture.

Legacy

The print exemplifies Goya's influence on the Romantic movement through its emphasis on emotional intensity and dynamic movement, continuing to inform interpretations of his work.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Francisco Goya

Artist

Francisco Goya

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.