Charles V spearing a bull in the ring at Valladolid, plate ten from The Art of Bullfighting Possibly 1814 - 1816

Francisco de Goya created this print, plate ten from *The Art of Bullfighting*, using etching and aquatint. A dynamic scene unfolds, dominated by dark, textural contrasts. Goya masterfully uses line and tone to create depth and tension. The composition is structured around a dramatic confrontation between the bull and the rider. The strong diagonal lines emphasize movement and action, conveying a sense of impending impact. The tonal contrasts, achieved through aquatint, enhance the drama, casting a theatrical light on the spectacle. The semiotic weight of the image reflects historical and cultural codes, hinting at the spectacle of power, tradition, and violence inherent in bullfighting. Goya destabilizes conventional heroic narratives by focusing on the visceral intensity and precarious balance of power. The textural richness of the aquatint, combined with the stark lines, transforms a historical depiction into a meditation on spectacle, tradition, and the very nature of representation. Goya challenges us to reconsider the cultural values embedded within the spectacle of the bullfight.