Palenque de los moros hecho con burros para defenderse del toro embolado (The Moors Use Donkeys as a Barrier to Defend Themselves against the Bull Whose Horns have been Tipped with Balls)

"Palenque de los moros hecho con burros para defenderse del toro embolado (The Moors Use Donkeys as a Barrier to Defend Themselves against the Bull Whose Horns have been Tipped with Balls)" is a significant print created by Francisco Goya in 1816. This work, classified as part of a major portfolio, exemplifies Goya's mastery of printmaking techniques, utilizing a complex combination of etching, burnished aquatint, drypoint, and burin. This fusion of methods allows Goya to achieve dramatic variations in tone and texture, giving the scene a visceral, dynamic quality. This specific impression is a highly valued first edition.

The composition depicts a chaotic scene from the history of bullfighting, chronicling an ancient method of defense. Moors are shown using a makeshift barricade, or palenque, of donkeys to shield themselves from a charging bull. The severity of the confrontation is tempered by the fact that the bull is embolado, meaning its horns have been fitted with protective balls, a practice intended to minimize lethal injury while maintaining the spectacle.

Goya created this piece during the period of 1801 to 1825, reflecting the deep cultural importance of the bullfight within Spanish society during the tumultuous early 19th century. The artist’s keen focus on both historical traditions and raw human drama defines his contribution to Romanticism. As one of the most famous prints in the series, the piece reinforces Goya’s reputation for unflinching observation and bold compositional design. This important example of Spanish graphical art is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars and the public access to this iconic work, often made available through high-resolution scans within the public domain.