Pedro Romero matando a toro parado (Pedro Romero Killing the Halted Bull)

Pedro Romero matando a toro parado (Pedro Romero Killing the Halted Bull) is a powerful print created by Francisco Goya in 1816. This work, a first edition impression, captures the legendary Spanish bullfighter Pedro Romero executing a dangerous maneuver against a stationary bull. Romero, famous for killing bulls while standing still, is depicted in the moment of the estocada, demonstrating classical technique and profound courage.

The piece utilizes a complex combination of printmaking techniques: etching, aquatint, drypoint, and burin. Goya employed these methods to achieve a dramatic range of tonal values and atmospheric depth characteristic of his mature graphic style. The aquatint provides rich, shadowy shading that emphasizes the intense environment of the arena, while the detailed etching and burin work define the figures and the intensity of the action. This piece belongs to Goya’s celebrated Tauromaquia portfolio, a series that explores the history and practice of bullfighting, a deep-rooted tradition within Spanish culture.

Produced during the period spanning 1801 to 1825, the series reflects Goya’s nuanced perspective on tradition, spectacle, and violence in post-Enlightenment Spain. The depiction of the toro parado (halted bull) highlights a key moment of dramatic tension and stillness just before the fatal blow, distinguishing it from earlier, more chaotic representations of the sport. Goya expertly manages the composition, centering the viewer’s attention on Romero’s focused stance amidst the surrounding chaos of the ring and onlookers. As a historically significant example of Romantic graphic art, this impression is preserved in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. High-quality prints of this seminal work by Goya are widely referenced and often enter the public domain, cementing the piece’s status as a foundational reference for graphic arts scholars.