Bullfight scene 1901

Picasso made this painting of a bullfight scene, date unknown, probably with oils on canvas, and what strikes me is the drama, the color, and the energy. I can almost feel his hand moving quickly, trying to capture something real. The marks are thick and full of urgency, as if the moment might be gone in an instant, the bullfight might be over. It's not pretty, but I don't think that was what Picasso was after. I bet he was interested in the grit, the dirt, the life and death of the event. You can see the red of the barriers around the ring, the ochre of the sand. I see hints of figures in the stands. It feels like he's trying to put down everything he saw as quickly as possible. This painting feels like a part of an ongoing conversation among artists. Each painter responds to those who came before, adds their own voice, and passes it on. I bet it was thrilling to make.