A Matador
1866-1867
Édouard Manet captures the dramatic flair of a Spanish bullfighter in this striking full-length portrait. Dressed in a shimmering, silver-embroidered 'suit of lights' with a pink sash, the matador raises his hat in a gesture of triumph, while clutching a red cape and sword in his other hand. Originally part of a larger, darker composition depicting a fallen bullfighter that Manet actually cut into pieces, this standing figure survives as a vibrant testament to his fascination with Spanish culture following an 1865 trip. The loose, confident brushstrokes against a moody, plain background perfectly showcase the bold style that would soon inspire the Impressionist movement.
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