Picador steekt zijn lans in een stier 1876

Francisco de Goya created this etching, "Picador steekt zijn lans in een stier" or "Picador thrusting his lance into a bull" with etching in the late 18th or early 19th century. Goya lived through a tumultuous period in Spanish history marked by political upheaval and social change. His personal experiences, including illness and social critique, deeply influenced his art. In this print, Goya depicts a scene from a bullfight, a cultural spectacle deeply embedded in Spanish identity. The picador, mounted on horseback, is shown in the act of piercing the bull with a lance, while other bullfighters stand close by, taunting the animal. Goya’s portrayal of bullfighting is far from celebratory. He highlights the violence and brutality of the event. Goya seems to suggest a critique of Spanish society itself through his depiction of violence. He doesn't shy away from the raw, emotional intensity of the scene. The print serves as both a historical document of a popular tradition, and as a reflection on the darker aspects of human nature.