Pepe Illo haciendo el recorte al toro (Pepe Illo Making the Pass of the "Recorte")

Pepe Illo haciendo el recorte al toro (Pepe Illo Making the Pass of the "Recorte") is a dramatic Spanish print created by Francisco Goya in 1816. This striking first edition impression showcases Goya's technical mastery of complex printmaking processes, combining the delicate detail of etching, the rich tonality of burnished aquatint, and the textural variation of drypoint and burin. Produced during the period spanning 1801 to 1825, this piece belongs to a larger portfolio that explores the spectacle and drama of the Spanish bullfight, known as the tauromaquia.

The print vividly depicts the famed eighteenth-century bullfighter José Delgado Guerra, commonly known as Pepe Illo, executing a highly dangerous maneuver called the recorte. Although Pepe Illo had died decades before the creation of the work, Goya immortalized the legend, focusing on the electrifying moment of conflict. The composition emphasizes the matador’s precise skill and courage required to confront the charging animal, capturing both the speed of the bull and the vulnerability of the man in the arena.

Goya utilized the contrasting effects of the aquatint and drypoint to define the harsh, intense light and deep shadows of the ring. This treatment highlights the raw emotion and risk inherent in the cultural event. The work is not merely a documentation of sport, but a commentary on human drama and spectacle during the tumultuous Spanish early 19th century. This influential piece is a foundational example of Goya's late prints style.

Today, this significant Spanish artwork is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of the age of the original plates, prints like this often fall into the public domain, making Goya's profound visual narratives accessible for study and appreciation worldwide.