Picador before 2009

Aat Verhoog made this etching titled ‘Picador’. While the date of its making remains unknown, Verhoog's interest in the human condition and his unique perspective on the world are clear. In this work, Verhoog challenges traditional representations. The figures of the picador and the horse are deconstructed, composed of lines and patterns that disrupt conventional form. This abstraction invites us to question the narratives of power and masculinity typically associated with bullfighting. The picador's role, traditionally one of dominance over the bull, is destabilized, prompting reflection on themes of control, vulnerability, and the spectacle of violence. The artwork resonates with an emotional depth, a quiet tension palpable in the fragmented figures. It prompts contemplation on the artist's perspective and the broader societal issues that bullfighting embodies.