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The Bull

Jules de Goncourt

1865

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

The Bull is a 1865 by Jules de Goncourt, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Jules de Goncourt
When & what style?: 1865 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a charging bull in the center, its muscles tight and hooves kicking up dirt. To the left, a small group of people crouches near what looks like a rocky outcrop, their shapes loose and hurried. The background is a stormy sky with jagged clouds and a dark, wavy sea below. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement—especially the bull’s power and the people’s fear. The scene feels rough and urgent, like a moment frozen in time. Next, check out Realism to see how artists focused on everyday scenes like this one.