A Spanish knight kills the bull after having lost his horse, plate nine from The Art of Bullfighting Possibly 1814 - 1816

Editor: This etching by Francisco Goya, probably made between 1814 and 1816, is titled "A Spanish knight kills the bull after having lost his horse." The scene feels really immediate, with the fallen horse in the background and the knight right up against the bull. What stands out to you? Curator: Consider the formal structure of this print. Goya's mastery of line and tone creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, imbuing the scene with a sense of drama. The stark contrast amplifies the intensity of the moment, and how do you interpret the composition itself, with the fallen horse receding in the background and the knight locked in immediate combat? Editor: I guess it's about directing your eye. The fallen horse is less detailed so your attention immediately goes to the figure of the knight and the bull? Curator: Precisely. The composition directs the eye toward the focal point, accentuating the immediacy and ferocity of the scene. Goya employs hatching and cross-hatching to model forms and convey texture, evident in the muscular physique of the bull and the elaborate costume of the knight. Notice how these formal elements contribute to the overall narrative. The arrangement keeps everything in the foreground to showcase the matador's skill. Editor: It really does throw you right into the action. The level of detail for something so small is impressive. I never would have noticed how much that formal contrast added to the drama. Curator: The print rewards close visual examination, demonstrating that form and content are inextricable. The power and meaning arise from these exact artistic decisions, not just from the scene.