Rafael Molina Sánchez

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Molina and the second or maternal family name is Sánchez.

Rafael Molina Sánchez (November 27, 1841 – August 1, 1900), called Lagartijo (lizard), was a Spanish bullfighter.

Rafael Molina Sánchez, "Lagartijo "

Early life

Rafael Molina was born in Córdoba on November 27, 1841.^[1]

Career

On September 29, 1865, Lagartijo became a full bullfighter (he took the alternativa) at Úbeda. His sponsor (padrino) was Antonio Carmona y Luque, called El Gordito; Lagartijo killed Carabuco, a bull from the ranch (ganadería) owned by the Marchioness of Ontiveros.

During his career he was seriously gored seven times.^{[citation needed]}

In 1887, Lagartijo presented his sword at the alternativa of Rafael Guerra Bejarano, marking Guerra's elevation from an apprentice to a professional matador. A Spanish hand fan commemorating the occasion survives in the collection of the Staten Island Historical Society at Historic Richmond Town in New York.^[2]

Lagartijo retired from bullfighting in 1893.

Death

Rafael Molina died on August 1, 1900, in Córdoba.

Notes

1. "Fan, 1887". Online Collections Database. Staten Island Historical Society. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
2. "Fan, 1887". Online Collections Database. Staten Island Historical Society. Retrieved 12 December 2011.

External links

• http://www.portaltaurino.com/matadores/lagartijo.htm
• Depiction of "Lagartijo" on a fan in the Staten Island Historical Society Online Collections Database