Forty-eight vignettes of bullfighting manoeuvers and scenes from the ring 1795 - 1805

This print presents forty-eight vignettes depicting the dance of bullfighting. Here, the bull transcends mere animal, becoming a symbol of primal power, its confrontation with the matador a ritualistic drama. The bull, throughout history, embodies virility and untamed nature. From the Cretan bull-leaping rituals to the Mithraic mysteries where the slaying of a bull brought forth new life, this animal has been a potent image. In this print, each scene captures a moment of this deadly ballet. Consider the matador's gestures – the flaunting cape, the poised stance – each an echo of ancient rituals, where man confronts and attempts to control the raw forces of nature. The bullfight touches something deep within us, stirring primal memories of life, death, and the eternal struggle for dominance. This cyclical progression of life and death resurfaces and evolves, gaining new meaning in each historical context.