The artwork “Tauromaquia” is attributed to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and classified within the Art Nouveau movement, a modernist period known for its elaborate and floral patterns as well as a strong stylistic approach. This piece falls under the genre of a poster, which suggests that it was designed for public display to advertise an event or a concept related to the theme it presents.
Upon examining the artwork, one is immediately confronted with a stark representation of bullfighting, which is the theme suggested by the term ‘Tauromaquia’. The composition is dominated by a bold use of contrasting colors and simplified forms. A bull’s skull and a matador’s face, which has been reduced to a skull, occupy the central plane of the canvas. The poster uses a limited, but impactful color palette, primarily consisting of hues of red, black, and tan, which adds to the intensity of the subject matter. The vivid red splash that spans from the bull’s skull to the matador signifies blood and symbolizes the violence and mortality inherent in the sport of bullfighting. The text “Goya – La Tauromaquia” could indicate that the poster was made in reference or homage to Goya’s series on the same subject.
The use of distinct lines and forms is characteristic of Art Nouveau, and although it may seem to have a simplistic aesthetic at first glance, the imagery provides a powerful commentary on the brutality and the cultural fascination with bullfighting. The depiction of death through the juxtaposition of the skull imagery elicits a contemplative response about the nature of this tradition. This poster by Toulouse-Lautrec, therefore, not only serves as an advertisement but also as a potent means of cultural critique.
