Bull Stabbed by a Matador (Collection of the Principal Maneuvers of a Bullfight) Antonio Carnicero (1748-1814)

The scene unfolds within a clearly delineated rectangular frame, suggesting a formalized presentation – likely a print or illustration intended for instructional purposes. Here we see a bull, visibly wounded and weakened, collapsed on the ground. The animals posture conveys distress; its head is lowered, and its body appears to sag under its weight. A dark stain marks the area where it has been pierced, indicating an injury of some significance.
Three figures dominate the foreground. One man, presumably a matador, stands over the bull, holding a sword aloft in his right hand. His attire – a richly embroidered jacket with contrasting breeches and a yellow sash – signals status and participation in a ritualized performance. He appears to be directing the action, though his expression is difficult to discern definitively. Two other men are positioned nearby; one stands at attention, clad in a red tunic, while another, dressed in green, seems to observe the scene with a detached air. Their presence reinforces the structured nature of the event and suggests a hierarchy within the spectacle.
Behind the central figures, a wooden barrier or enclosure is visible, populated by additional onlookers – likely spectators – who are partially obscured from view. The limited detail afforded these background characters emphasizes their role as passive observers rather than active participants in the drama unfolding before them.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by earth tones and punctuated by splashes of red and yellow that draw attention to key elements: the bull’s blood, the matadors attire, and the flag he holds. The ground is rendered with a stippled texture, creating a sense of depth and realism while also contributing to the overall formality of the composition.
Subtly, the work seems to explore themes of dominance and vulnerability. The bull’s suffering contrasts sharply with the matadors confident posture, highlighting the power dynamic inherent in the situation. The presence of the onlookers suggests a societal fascination with displays of courage, skill, and control over nature – even when that control involves inflicting pain and demonstrating mortality. The composition implies not merely an event but a carefully orchestrated performance designed to entertain and instruct.