Mariano Ceballos, alias the Indian, kills the bull from his horse, plate 23 from The Art of Bullfighting Possibly 1814 - 1816

This etching, made by Francisco Goya, is one of a series dedicated to bullfighting. Goya didn't just paint; he was also a master printmaker. Here, he has used the technique of etching, scratching into a metal plate and using acid to deepen the lines, to create a scene full of drama and movement. Look closely, and you'll notice the frenzied energy captured through a network of fine lines. The linear quality emphasizes the precariousness of the moment, the instability of the figures, and the brutality of the confrontation. This process, demanding precision and control, mirrors the skill required of the bullfighter himself. But let's also consider the social context. Bullfighting, deeply embedded in Spanish culture, was both spectacle and industry. Goya’s prints, made in multiples, made this spectacle accessible to a wider audience, turning a bloody sport into a commodity. This artwork shows how even traditional practices can be shaped and distributed through the mechanics of modern production.