Dogs at the bull (Bullfighting C) (preparatory drawing)

See How the ancient Spaniards hunted bulls on horseback in the countryside.

Preparatory drawings for the print Dogs at the bull (Bullfighting C). The scene depicts the moment when the dogs are thrown to a tame bull. In this case, the composition is variegated and lively, with many figures appearing in it and giving a sense of agitation, of a great deal of activity. It takes place in the arena of a bullring, of which the barrier, the stands and the audience are outlined in the background.

The preparatory study, as could not be otherwise, has many elements in common with the print on which it was based, although in this one, in order to make it easier to read, the figures were reduced, such as the picadors in the background on the left. It also has similarities with the other engraving on the same theme, which eventually replaced the one already mentioned, entitled Dogs are being thrown at the bull, as elements that would appear in that print are already present here, such as the bull with its head bent down surrounded by dogs, the injured dog on the right and the bailiff on horseback who, with his back turned, walks away across the bullring.

The present drawing is affixed to a second piece of laid paper belonging to a French army record book in Spain.