Who painted Bulls (Dead Horses)?

Bulls (Dead Horses) was painted by Ramon Casas in 1894.

Where can I see Bulls (Dead Horses)?

Bulls (Dead Horses) is held by Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

What movement is Bulls (Dead Horses)?

Bulls (Dead Horses) is associated with Art Nouveau.

Can I buy a print of Bulls (Dead Horses)?

Museum-quality prints of Bulls (Dead Horses) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Bulls (Dead Horses)

Ramon Casas , 1894

Bulls (Dead Horses) is an oil painting by the Art Nouveau artist Ramon Casas. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

About this work

Overview

Ramon Casas, a Catalan painter active in Barcelona during the 1890s, created the oil work titled Bulls (Dead Horses) in 1894. The canvas records a moment from a bullring, placing a dark brown bull and a white horse at its centre while a fallen, dark horse lies in the foreground. Spectators occupy the upper tier, observing the scene from the stands.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes vitality and loss: the standing bull and the guided white horse suggest ongoing action, whereas the prone horse conveys death or defeat. A lone figure leads the white horse, introducing a narrative of control amid the chaos of the arena, while the crowd’s distant presence underscores the public spectacle of such events.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs a restrained palette of browns, whites, and muted tones, enhancing the somber atmosphere.

Executed in oil, the painting employs a restrained palette of browns, whites, and muted tones, enhancing the somber atmosphere. Casas arranges the figures diagonally, guiding the eye toward the central bull and the fallen horse. The brushwork balances detailed rendering of the animals with broader, less defined treatment of the audience, reflecting the Art Nouveau inclination toward decorative yet narrative composition.

History & Provenance

Since its completion, the work has remained within the Catalan artistic heritage, ultimately entering the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. It stands among Casas’s broader output of urban genre scenes that document the social and recreational life of late‑19th‑century Barcelona.