L'estocade

sketchfab

1973 - A beautifully crafted wooden sculpture measuring 55 cm x 86 cm, rendered in low relief as a bull killed by the matador's sword. The work of Ismaël Cacédo (born in Madrid on August 4, 1938 - died in Orthez on November 5, 2020). This killing is done using the "descabello", or the "verdugo", which the "matador" plants between the base of the skull and the beginning of the spine, that is to say, in the region of the cerebellum, in order to sever the spinal cord. "At the bottom of its entrails, a lightning bolt came to plant itself, evil entered its flesh, and it tore it apart from the inside. Its heart beats wildly as it comes to tear itself at each beat, at each movement. A knee sinks into the sand, then two. The head finally rests. While slowly the brave spirit departs this world, a ear is carved off of this carcass, which just moments before was still a strong and powerful animal" - Excerpt from Midi-Libre by Sophie Malakian Verneuil.