Stier wordt uitgedaagd met banderillas after 1790

This anonymous print, titled "Stier wordt uitgedaagd met banderillas," captures a moment of high tension during a bullfight. While the artist’s identity remains a mystery, the work offers insight into the spectacle of bullfighting and the societal values it reflects. The print depicts the confrontation between humans and the bull, with matadors facing the animal with banderillas – decorated, barbed sticks used to goad the bull. We can sense both the agility and drama, the dance with death that characterized bullfighting. This “dance” underscores the gendered nature of bullfighting, with its emphasis on male prowess, dominance, and courage. The image prompts us to think about the cultural significance of bullfighting, its roots in ritual and spectacle, and its continued existence as a controversial symbol of national identity. What emotional responses does the image evoke?