Disembowelment of the rogue with spears, crescent moons, banderillas and other weapons

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

Several figures are harassing a bull with spears and other sharp instruments, which is crouched and looking at them in the centre of the composition. The bodies of two men lie on the ground, probably because they have been run over by the bull. There are no elements to help us locate the scene in any particular place.

It represents a cruel practice, inspired by the custom of finishing off the bull at the hands of popular gangs in exchange for a modest stipend. If the bull did not die soon or was in poor condition, it was left to these groups, made up of all kinds of low-life individuals, who finished it off in the bullring.

Lafuente Ferrari related the print to the Disasters of War and the Absurdities because of the harshness of the scene, the faces of some of the figures, which resemble those of other individuals depicted in those series, and the way they surround the bull, reminiscent of the attitude of the aggressive crowds in both series.He also compares the engraving with the preparatory drawing for it, also entitled Disembowelment of the rogue with spears, crescent moons, banderillas and other weapons, detecting certain differences between the two. The main difference is that in the engraving the number of figures in the background of the drawing was reduced, although the two individuals lying on the ground and the black figure were added. Glendinning, for his part, relates this print to the depiction of human barbarism.

The work is remarkable for the successful contrast between the dignity of the bull and the lowliness of the members of the gang who are trying to kill it. The way in which Goya presents the figures in the background, more blurred, enhances the perspective of the engraving.