Retrato de Joselito ¨El Gallo¨

This striking portrait depicts Joselito el Gallo, one of the most legendary matadors of early 20th-century Spain, revered for his elegance, technique, and deep influence on the art of bullfighting. The pose and painterly style evoke the essence of classic portraiture, drawing clear inspiration from Édouard Manet’s toreros — particularly his fascination with Spanish themes and the dramatic presence of the bullfighter figure.
The artist captures Joselito in motion, with his traditional traje de luces shimmering in gold and crimson, exuding both grace and danger. Much like Manet’s own interpretations, this image transcends documentation, becoming a reflection on masculinity, mortality, and spectacle.
 
180 x 130 cm
oil on linen
2024