A moment of quietude stolen from the arena’s fury! Mary Cassatt transports us into the private world of a toreador with remarkable skill.
In “After the Bullfight” (1873), the artist captures the very essence of traditional Spain through this portrait imbued with authenticity.
The toreador, adorned in his “traje de luces” (suit of lights) shimmering with silver ornaments and highlighted with scarlet touches, takes a moment of rest while lighting a cigarette. This everyday gesture magnificently contrasts with the solemnity of his ceremonial costume. Light delicately caresses the sumptuous embroidery while the dark background accentuates the imposing presence of the subject. The tight framing and vigorous pictorial treatment demonstrate a resolutely modern sensibility, where texture and color take precedence over narrative. Cassatt delivers a work of rare intensity, blending fascination with Iberian traditions and an innovative perspective.
Object Information
- Title: After the Bullfight
- Artist: Mary Cassatt
- Date: 1873
- Dimensions: 82.5 × 64 cm
- Collection: The Art Institute of Chicago, Arts of the Americas, Gallery 175
- https://www.artic.edu/artworks/31816/after-the-bullfight
Historical Context
Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), an American expatriate in Paris, was one of the few women to join the Impressionist circle. Her stay in Seville in 1872-1873 marks a decisive turning point in her career. Inspired by Manet and Velázquez, she developed a more vibrant palette and confident brushwork.
Though better known for her intimate scenes of women’s daily life and portraits of children, this foray into the masculine world of bullfighting reveals the boldness and curiosity of an artist coming into her own. “After the Corrida” already signals the expressive power that would earn her international renown in the decades to follow.
