Varilarguero on the shoulders of a pimp, stinging a bull (Bullfighting D) (preparatory drawing)

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

Preparatory drawing of the print Varilarguero on the shoulders of a pimp, stinging a bull (Bullfighting D) . We see how a bullfighter, on the shoulders of another bullfighter or a pimp, stabs the bull in front of him, who enters the cape held by the other figure. Lafuente Ferrari is convinced that the scene was performed in the Madrid bullring by Juan Jorge, known as Joaquinín, around 1776.

Here we see two symmetrical groups of figures and another secondary group at the back of the scene, between the two, a pattern that will be maintained in the later print. The barrier of the bullring can be slightly glimpsed, but the most careful part of the drawing is that of the two groups of figures in the foreground, including the bull, which shows a great deal of movement. Gassier considers that the fact that there are two groups of figures in parallel only detracts from the importance of both, for although the whole is harmonious, neither stands out and both lose prominence.

There are two points of light in the scene, one in each of the groups in the foreground.

The present preparatory drawing was transferred to the plate, and thus to the print, with remarkable fidelity.