Etching by Josep M.ª Draper, signed and numbered 30/65. A bullfighter and a bull occupy the foreground of a scene set in the arena.
The pass and the composition
The bull lowers its head beside the bullfighter, whose pale cape opens to the left. Their proximity and the position of the animal’s legs concentrate the movement at the centre of the image.
Line and shadow
Cross-hatching darkens the bull’s body and describes the details of the costume. The curved stands place the scene in the bullring, while the lightly worked ground leaves space around the figures.
Technical details
Artist: Josep M.ª Draper.
Title / subject: El lance (la faena)
Technique and support: Original etching on heavyweight cotton paper with natural deckle edges.
Edition: Numbered copy 30/65.
Dimensions: Paper: 35 × 28.5 cm | Platemark: 12.5 × 16 cm.
Signature and inscriptions: Numbered “30/65” in pencil at the lower left and hand-signed “Draper” at the lower right.
Provenance: Gallery stock / private collection.
Condition: Excellent. Intact paper.
The Taller Note
The bull’s dark body occupies the right foreground, its lowered head close to the bullfighter. The pale cape opens to the left and contrasts with the densely hatched animal. Diagonal strokes across the bull, the costume and the stands carry the movement through the scene. The mostly unworked ground leaves space around the figures, while curved rows of spectators establish the setting of the arena.
