La Vara rota 1892

Arturo Michelena painted "La vara rota" using oil on canvas, a traditional method that allows for rich colors and detailed scenes. Michelena's choice of oil paint as his medium reflects a long history of academic painting, where the manipulation of light and shadow, facilitated by the viscosity of oil, was paramount for creating realistic depictions. In this painting, the materiality of oil paint is critical, as the thick application brings a sense of immediacy and raw emotion to the bullfighting scene. Notice how the artist uses the qualities of this medium, which allow for both blending and layering, to depict the chaotic moment with the same colors and textures. The painting shows an interest in traditional skill and technique, rooted in the hierarchies of fine arts, yet it also addresses the social realities and cultural traditions of its time. This artwork invites us to consider how an artist working within established techniques can create work that speaks to wider social issues, blurring the lines between the fine arts and popular culture.