Accession Number
1954/1.62

Title
El matarife

Artist(s)
José Ortega

Artist Nationality
Spanish (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1952-1953

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
7 1/8 in x 5 1/8 in (18.1 cm x 13.02 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
This is one of a series of ten works created for a portfolio titled "el Terror", or "The Terror." In 1947, Ortega was sentenced to ten years in prison for his anti-Franco activism, though he only served five years. This portfolio was created just after he was released from prison and before he left for Paris, where he received a scholarship to take classes at l'Ecole Estionne and la Ecole de beaux arts. In the series of ten prints, his recent experiences were highlighted. In this print, the congruence of implements of execution, crosses, the bullfight, and the title Butcher, must reference a political figure from Franco regime. 

Physical Description
The woodblock print depicts a man wearing a Montera toreros hat, that is, a bullfighter's hat, and holding an executioner's axe. His right arm is clad in the elaborate garb of a toreador. There appear to be pages on a table before him and he is holding one. There is a bucket to the left of him. Behind him are crosses on the left and a dog on the right. The print is signed (l.c.) "6 Pepe Ortega" in pencil.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
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Keywords
Figures
St. John the Evangelist
book
bucket
butchers
child
crosses
jails (institutions)
man
men (male humans)
modern and contemporary art
prisons (institutions)
standing
table
weapon