Costillares

Joaquín Rodríguez (July 20, 1743, Seville – January 27, 1800, Madrid), better known as Costillares, was a Spanish bullfighter who has been considered the father of modern spectator bullfighting.

Son of the Seville matador Luis Rodríguez, who also worked in a slaughterhouse, Costillares followed his father in both professions. He learned about the anatomy of the bull at the slaughterhouse, which would help him as a bullfighter. He began his career with Pedro Palomo, and gained recognition in Seville, where he among the first to perform to acclaim at the recently constructed Real Maestranza bullring. Costillares debuted in Madrid in 1767, and began a rivalry with the popular favorite Pedro Romero. He appeared regularly in Madrid between 1780 and 1790, but was seriously wounded in a 1782 fight.