El animoso moro Gazul es el primero que lanceo toros en regla (The Spirited Moor Gazul is the First to Spear Bulls According to Rules)

El animoso moro Gazul es el primero que lanceo toros en regla (The Spirited Moor Gazul is the First to Spear Bulls According to Rules) is a powerful print created by Francisco Goya in 1816. This work, a first edition impression, demonstrates Goya's masterful integration of complex printmaking techniques, including etching, burnished aquatint, and drypoint. Produced during the volatile period spanning 1801 to 1825, this piece reflects the high drama and historical fascination surrounding the subject of the corrida in Spanish culture.

Goya focuses here on the historical origins of bullfighting. The subject, Gazul, is a legendary figure often associated with introducing formal rules and techniques to the sport in Spain. In this dramatic scene, the figure is shown mounted and actively spearing the bull, capturing the intensity and danger of the spectacle. Goya uses the medium to heighten the contrasts, employing the deep tones afforded by the aquatint against the sharp lines of the etching and drypoint to render the chaotic action. The skillful layering of these methods results in a textured, almost painterly depth uncommon in prints of this era.

This Spanish masterwork is classified as part of a portfolio, underscoring its role within a broader historical series dedicated to the evolution of the bullfight. Today, impressions of these seminal prints are highly prized. This specific impression resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Goya’s legacy as a printmaker ensures that reproductions of this influential work often enter the public domain, making its historical and artistic significance accessible globally. The piece stands as a crucial example of the innovative technical and narrative approaches Goya pioneered during the early nineteenth century.