Echan perros al toro (They Loose Dogs on the Bull)

"Echan perros al toro (They Loose Dogs on the Bull)" by Francisco Goya is a powerful print created in 1816, positioning it within the complex artistic period of 1801 to 1825. This first edition impression is a complex example of graphic mastery, meticulously rendered using etching, burnished aquatint, and drypoint. The combination of these techniques allowed Goya to achieve a dramatic range of tonal depths and textural contrasts, particularly evident in the depiction of explosive movement and deep shadows that characterize the violent encounter at the core of the composition.

The subject matter captures a brutal moment from the traditional corrida, or bullfight, where specialized dogs were sometimes employed to subdue or distract the massive animal before the final moments of the event. Goya, a Spanish master observer of his nation's culture and traditions, treated the spectacle of bullfighting not merely as sport, but as an uncompromising study of intensity and conflict. The composition’s dark, almost suffocating tonalities achieved through the use of aquatint underscore the inherent drama and cruelty of the scene, typical of Goya’s unflinching vision during this era.

Classified as a portfolio print, this work demonstrates Goya's immense influence on subsequent generations of artists through his graphic output, which often utilized innovative printmaking techniques to convey psychological depth. This important piece resides in the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, serving as a key example of Goya's late production and his unparalleled skill in representing human struggle and tradition. As this piece has passed into the public domain due to its age, these historically significant prints are widely accessible for scholarly study and educational reference.