Bullfight, the death of the torero (c.1933) by Pablo Picasso

Bullfight, the death of the torero - Pablo Picasso - c.1933

Artwork Information

TitleBullfight, the death of the torero
ArtistPablo Picasso
Datec.1933
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions697 x 900 cm
Art MovementNeoclassicism,Surrealism

About Bullfight, the death of the torero

The artwork “Bullfight, the death of the torero” is a creation by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso, dating back to circa 1933. Picasso utilized oil on canvas to express his vision. The piece is associated with the Neoclassicism and Surrealism movements. With dimensions of 697 x 900 cm, this genre painting depicts a poignant moment in the traditional Spanish bullfight.

The artwork presents a chaotic and dramatic scene, infused with intense emotion and dynamic movements. At the center of the composition, a bull and a horse are entangled in what appears to be a deadly confrontation, suggested by the title of the work. The bull, depicted in dark tones with hints of purple on its horns, charges forward aggressively. The torero, caught in the fray, is collapsing underneath the bull. His body is draped in colorful traditional garb, which contrasts with the grim situation.

A horse, rendered in shades of white and gray, rears back in fear or pain, contributing to the tumultuous energy of the scene. Its wide-open mouth and rolled-back eyes convey distress, capturing the violence and intensity of the bullfight. The background is filled with a brightly colored depiction of the audience in a typical bullfighting arena under a blue sky. The color palette of the artwork is vivid, with reds evoking the blood and violence of the spectacle, while other areas of the canvas are suffused with brighter and more varied hues.

Overall, the painting’s style is characterized by a blend of Neoclassical forms and Surrealist elements, as demonstrated in Picasso’s unique approach to portraying the figures and their exaggerated gestures. The work can be interpreted as a critique of the brutality of bullfighting, a subject that Picasso revisited throughout his career, reflecting his engagement with themes of life, death, and the human condition.

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