Rocco Ritchie has found himself at the centre of an online backlash after sharing a sun-soaked carousel from a week in Seville — one that included photographs taken inside a bullring.
The 25-year-old artist, son of Madonna and filmmaker Guy Ritchie, posted a series of images on Instagram last Sunday captioned simply: "A week well spent in Sevilla, drawing, drinking, dancing." The gallery documented sketching sessions in cafés, scenes from Seville's famous Feria festivities, fashion-forward portraits and historic architecture — but it was the inclusion of images from a bullfight that drew the sharpest attention.
The Comments Section Fills Up Fast
Among the photographs were matadors preparing for the spectacle and a bull facing a matador in the arena. While many followers praised the visual storytelling, others moved swiftly to voice their objections.
"Tradition is never an excuse for cruelty; ban bullfighting and end animal abuse," one user wrote, with another adding: "I truly support you and your art but bullfighting is a horrible crime in disguise. Try to use your voice to raise awareness."
Several commenters were careful to separate their feelings about Rocco's wider artistic work from their disappointment at the bullfighting content — "Love your art but bullfighting [is] very sad" being a sentiment repeated in various forms throughout the thread. Rocco has not publicly responded to the criticism.
The debate his post reignited is far from new. Bullfighting remains one of Spain's most polarising cultural traditions, with supporters viewing it as an expression of national heritage and critics condemning it outright as animal cruelty. Rocco's Instagram, with its growing audience of art collectors and followers curious about his life, simply handed the argument a fresh platform.
Six Months, Three Countries, One Paris Show
The Seville trip was part of a broader creative stretch that Rocco has now brought to a close. In a separate Instagram post, he revealed that he had spent the past six months travelling through Mexico, Spain and Portugal, working on new paintings and a handful of sculptures.
"I spent the past six months in Mexico, Spain and Portugal, where I made a body of new paintings and a handful of sculptures. Very excited to be exhibiting with @pierre_augustin_rose this October in Paris."
The Paris exhibition marks another step forward for an artist who has been quietly building a serious reputation in the contemporary art world. Rocco first showed work under the pseudonym Rhed before later exhibiting under his own name — a shift that reflected both growing confidence and a more public embrace of his own identity.
The Exhibition That Brought His Parents Back Into the Same Room
Earlier this year, Rocco's London show — titled Talk Is Cheap and hosted at a studio warehouse in Soho — made headlines for a reason that had little to do with the work on the walls. Madonna and Guy Ritchie were photographed together for the first time in 17 years, both attending to support their son.
The guest list underlined just how far Rocco has come as an artist in his own right. Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley attended, as did Jake Gyllenhaal and fashion designer Tom Ford. Trudie Styler, Rocco's godmother, was also present.
Rocco addressed the significance of the reunion directly, writing on Instagram: "I'm even prouder to have both of my parents together in one room supporting me." He has previously spoken about navigating the weight of his famous parentage, telling WWD: "It's up to me to focus on doing the work, and committing to my passion and my love toward making art."
Both Madonna and Guy Ritchie have publicly championed his artistic career. Whether the bullfighting controversy becomes a footnote or a more lasting talking point likely depends on what Rocco does next — and, for now at least, that looks very much like preparing for Paris.
