Artwork

The Moors Settled in Spain, Giving Up the Superstitions of the Qur'an, Adopted this Art of Hunting, and Spear a Bull in the Open

The Moors Settled in Spain, Giving Up the Superstitions of the Qur'an, Adopted this Art of Hunting, and Spear a Bull in the Open 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

Francisco de Goya’s 1816 print, titled The Moors Settled in Spain, Giving Up the Superstitions of the Qur'an, Adopted this Art of Hunting, and Spear a Bull in the Open, is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. Executed in a rapid, sketch‑like manner, the work captures a chaotic chase scene in a muddy field, emphasizing movement over fine detail.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a group of men in loosely fitting, antiquated attire pursuing a bull that is entangled in ropes, while a dog lies nearby. The title suggests a broader commentary on cultural transformation, implying that former Moorish practices have been abandoned in favor of new, perhaps more violent, customs.

Technique & Style

Rendered with swift, gestural lines, the print prioritises dynamism and immediacy. Goya’s handling of the medium conveys a sense of urgency, using minimal shading and rough contours to suggest the frenzy of the hunt rather than precise anatomical accuracy.

History & Provenance

Created in the post‑Napoleonic period, the work reflects Goya’s late‑career interest in social and political themes. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s European print collection.

Context

The image aligns with Romantic sensibilities that prized intense emotion, dramatic action, and the portrayal of untamed nature. Goya’s focus on a violent spectacle and the implied cultural shift mirrors the era’s fascination with the exotic and the tumultuous changes reshaping Europe.