Who painted Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot)?

Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot) was painted by Francisco Goya in 1816.

Where can I see Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot)?

Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot)?

Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot) is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot)?

Museum-quality prints of Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot)

Francisco Goya , 1816

Otro modo de cazar a pie (Another Way of Hunting on Foot) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work belongs to his first edition of prints, produced during a period when Goya turned increasingly toward dark, unflinching subjects.

Created in 1816, *Otro modo de cazar a pie* is a print by Francisco Goya that combines etching, burnished aquatint, drypoint, and burin. It is part of a series reflecting his mature engagement with human behavior and societal violence. The work belongs to his first edition of prints, produced during a period when Goya turned increasingly toward dark, unflinching subjects. Its technical complexity underscores his mastery of graphic media and his shift from decorative to critical imagery.

Subject & Meaning

The scene portrays three men pursuing a bull across an open landscape, each armed with sticks or a spear. The bull, rendered with muscular tension, charges forward as dust rises beneath its hooves. The figures’ frantic movements suggest a ritualized, almost absurd violence. Goya does not glorify the hunt; instead, he presents it as chaotic and primal, possibly critiquing the brutality embedded in Spanish traditions or the irrationality of power.

Technique & Style

Goya employed multiple intaglio techniques to achieve varied textures: etching for fine lines, drypoint for rich, fuzzy shadows, burnished aquatint for tonal gradations, and burin for sharp, incised contours. The rough, energetic strokes convey motion and urgency, while the stark contrast between detailed figures and minimal background heightens the scene’s immediacy. The absence of decorative elements focuses attention on raw physicality and psychological intensity.

History & Provenance

This print was produced during Goya’s later years, following his recovery from a severe illness and amid Spain’s political instability after the Napoleonic Wars. It was included in his private portfolio of prints, later published as *Los Disparates*. Unlike his earlier commissioned works, this piece was not intended for public sale but as a personal commentary. The first edition impression is rare, with few surviving copies held in major institutional collections.

Context

Goya created this work amid Spain’s turbulent transition from absolutism to liberal reform, a time when traditional institutions were being questioned. The bull hunt, a cultural staple, may have served as a metaphor for societal chaos or the futile pursuit of control. His prints from this era often subverted romanticized narratives, replacing them with unsettling truths about human nature, power, and violence.

Legacy

This print exemplifies Goya’s influence on modern graphic art through its emotional rawness and technical innovation. His use of printmaking as a vehicle for social critique paved the way for later artists who embraced the medium for political expression. The work’s unidealized depiction of violence and its psychological depth continue to resonate in contemporary discussions of art’s role in confronting uncomfortable realities.