Man te paard steekt zijn lans in een stier 1876

This print of a man on horseback spearing a bull was made by Francisco de Goya. It’s an etching – a printmaking process that involves using acid to cut lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The stark contrast between light and shadow is the key to the work's visual impact. Goya masterfully manipulates the etching process to create a range of tones, from deep blacks to subtle greys. This is achieved through varying the depth and density of the etched lines, and also the amount of ink left on the plate. The roughness of the technique also has a symbolic effect. The aquatint emphasizes the violence of the scene, a blood sport popular among the wealthy. But the image also implies the cost of such entertainment, with the labor involved in the production process and the suffering of the animals involved. This is more than just a picture; it's a statement about class, labor, and spectacle.