1901 Courses de taureaux2 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Period of creation: 1889-1907

The composition presents a scene unfolding within a bullring. Here we observe a group of figures engaged in what appears to be a traditional spectacle involving bulls and matadors. The arena itself is rendered in muted tones of green and grey, providing a backdrop for the activity taking place. A red barrier delineates the perimeter of the ring, visually separating the action from the densely packed audience seated above.
The artist has employed a loose, expressive brushstroke throughout, lending a sense of immediacy and dynamism to the scene. Figures are not meticulously detailed but rather suggested through blocks of color and gestural marks. The matadors, identifiable by their traditional attire – white shirts paired with vibrant green and red trousers – appear poised and focused amidst the chaos. Several bulls are visible, some dark and imposing, others lighter in hue, contributing to a visual contrast that emphasizes their power and presence. A horse is also depicted, seemingly agitated or reacting to the unfolding events.
The arrangement of figures suggests a narrative moment frozen in time. The viewers eye is drawn towards the central interaction between the matadors and the bulls, while the blurred forms of the audience in the background hint at the scale and intensity of the event.
Subtly, the painting seems to explore themes of tradition, spectacle, and perhaps even a commentary on human engagement with violence and ritual. The compressed perspective and fragmented figures contribute to an atmosphere of tension and heightened emotion. The color palette, dominated by earthy tones punctuated by flashes of red and green, reinforces this sense of drama and cultural significance. It is not merely a depiction of an event but rather an attempt to capture the essence of its emotional impact.