Artwork

Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull

Bullfights:  A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull, by Francisco de Goya, 1816
Bullfights:  A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull, by Francisco de Goya, 1816

Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull is a print by the Romanticist artist Francisco de Goya. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.
1923.565

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

Portrait of Francisco de Goya

Artist

Francisco de Goya

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes 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.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull?

Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull was painted by Francisco de Goya in 1816.

Where can I see Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull?

Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull?

Bullfights: A Picador is Unhorsed and Falls Under the Bull is associated with Romanticism.