Bullfighting 1927

Alexandre Jacovleff’s “Bullfighting” is painted with traditional oils on canvas, a medium typically associated with established academic art. But notice how Jacovleff employs it, layering thin washes of color, almost like watercolor, to capture the lively atmosphere. The painting feels both documentary and celebratory. The artist is deeply interested in the social dynamics of the scene. While the bullfight may seem like an isolated, romanticized tradition, it is deeply embedded in systems of labor, politics, and consumption. Consider the amount of work involved in staging such an event – from the cultivation of the bull to the construction of the arena. There is also an emphasis on labor and class, apparent in the clear distinction between spectators and performers, each fulfilling their role in the spectacle. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can understand the deeper meaning of "Bullfighting," challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.