The Moors Settled in Spain - Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes

A dramatic etching from Goya's La Tauromaquia series, depicting a historical scene of mounted bullfighting in Spain.

This work belongs to the series titled La Tauromaquia, a collection of thirty-three prints produced by Francisco Goya during the mid-1810s. The series documents the history and evolution of bullfighting in Spain, moving from ancient practices to the modern techniques of the artist's own time. In this specific plate, Goya depicts a historical interpretation of the sport, attributing the origins of mounted bullfighting to the Moorish influence in the Iberian Peninsula.

The composition captures a chaotic scene within the arena. A mounted picador engages a bull with a spear, while other figures and fallen horses occupy the foreground. Goya employs his characteristic use of aquatint to create deep, atmospheric shadows, which contrast with the lighter, dusty ground of the bullring. The figures are rendered with expressive, loose brushwork that conveys the kinetic energy and brutality of the event. The background is obscured by the suggestion of a crowded gallery, keeping the focus on the central confrontation between man, horse, and bull.

Goya's approach to the subject is detached and observational. He avoids romanticising the spectacle, choosing instead to present the visceral reality of the encounter. The print demonstrates his technical mastery of the etching medium, particularly in his ability to manipulate tone and texture to define form. This series remains a primary visual record of the cultural practices surrounding the bullfight in early nineteenth-century Spain, reflecting the artist's interest in the darker aspects of human tradition and public entertainment.