Combat of a harnessed carriage with two mules (Bullfighting G)

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

This engraving depicts a very curious scene: a horse-drawn carriage in the middle of the bullring, which serves as a complement to the bullfighting. Several men, dressed in the fashion of the late 18th century, are riding in the carriage, attempting to spear a bull who is in turn attacking a picador on horseback next to the carriage, who also thrusts his pike at the bull with viciousness, as is evident from the expression on his face, which can be seen perfectly as this is the part of the plate that receives the most light. This circumstance also allows us to see that the bull has stuck the picador's horse with a pitón and that blood is dripping down, an unusual occurrence in the series. In the background of the scene are three figures wearing capes and hats. The composition is delimited by the barrier and the seats in the stands, which are occupied by a variety of people, although the seats are not crowded.

According to Lafuente Ferrari, thanks to an original bullfighting poster still preserved, it has been posible to determine that a bullfight like this one, probably the one that inspired the print, took place in the Aranjuez bullring on 17 June 1797. 

There is a preparatory drawing for this print, also entitled Combat of a harnessed carriage with two mules (Bullfighting G)