Jose Gomez Ortega Jose Gomez Ortega
"Joselito"
El Gallo 1895-20
("Gallito")Little Rooster
"Gallo" in Spanish means Rooster.The symbol of the rooster is still used by the famous Californian Wine merchants Ernest & Julio Gallo .
In the years before and after the first world war Spains Bullfights were dominated by the man most often acclaimed as. "Spain's Greatest Matador".
The son, nephew, and brother(Manuel Gomez) of bullfighters, he had his picture taken with a sword in his hand age two. He leapt into a bullring at the age of nine (Espontaneo) and began his professional career at the age of twelve.
He celebrated his sixteenth birthday by killing six bulls by himself.
Poster,Circa: 1914 (Vincete Pastor, Manuel Gomez+Joselito Gomez Ortega.)
So instinctive was his technique and so graceful, that all of Spain believed him immortal. Spain was wrong.
In the small town of Talavera de la Reina on 16 May 1920 the bull named Bailaor killed the idol of Spain.
"Bailaor"
It is said that while he lay dying on the operating table of the small infirmary, in the Plaza deToros, he seen the "Green Ball" the Gypsy sign of death hovering over his wound.He was only twenty five when he died.
The Virgin of the Macarena known as Joselito's virgin is paraded from the church of the Macarena on good friday.One year she was decked out in mourning for the death of her hermano mayor,Joselito, who had just been killed.She still wears the emeralds he gave her,and among her treasures she keeps relics of other bullfighters,Ignacio Sanchez Mejias.His Picture is used on my Home page. and Manolete.
It was during this final act , the Valopie, that Joselito was fatefully gored .
His death left alone the man with whom he had shared the Matadors throne.
