Capean otro encerrado (They Play Another with the Cape in an Enclosure)

Capean otro encerrado (They Play Another with the Cape in an Enclosure) by Francisco Goya, executed in 1816, is a powerful example of the artist’s mastery of graphic media during the late period of his career. This first edition impression, held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, utilizes a technically complex combination of etching, burnished aquatint, drypoint, and burin. Goya employed these varied techniques to achieve deep textural contrasts and dramatic tonal effects, moving far beyond simple line work to create the atmospheric darkness essential to the scene.

The print documents a dangerous cultural tradition, placing it firmly within the Spanish arena of tauromaquia. The work depicts a confined bull (encerrado) being played or provoked by figures wielding capes in a makeshift arena. Goya, who often chronicled the visceral aspects of Spanish life, captures the raw energy of the spectacle, focusing on the dynamic movement of the cape against the enraged beast.

Created during the politically tumultuous period of 1801 to 1825, the composition reflects Goya’s continued exploration of human behavior when faced with violence or intense public ritual. As a significant item from a major portfolio of prints, the meticulous detail rendered through drypoint, coupled with the subtle tonal range afforded by the aquatint, solidifies its standing as a critical achievement in 19th-century Spanish printmaking. The preservation of this high-quality impression, housed at the National Gallery of Art, allows scholars to study the nuances of Goya’s complex plate work. Although original prints are rare, the importance and historical context of Goya's graphic output ensure that the imagery remains widely accessible today, often entering the public domain.