Mahon

This painting is entitled Mahon, which in Spanish is the shade of blue of the matador’s suit. The painting represents the moment just before the paseo, or parade, which takes place before the fight begins. The matador emerges out of the darkness, which emphasises his jewel-like costume and heightens the drama and spectacle which is about to unfold. He holds his montera (hat). The matador’s distinctive costume, or traje de luces (suit of lights) as it is known, can cost several thousand pounds; a top matador must have at least six of them a season. Christian Gaillard's first exhibition on bullfighting took place in Nimes in 1989 and it is the ambitious paintings of bullfights which have now made the name of the artist all over the world. Gaillard has painted portraits of the greatest living matadors, many of whom are personal friends, including Ortega Cano, Nino de la Capea, Chamaco and Luis Francisco Espla.

Each print is hand numbered and accompanied by a certificate signed by the artist. The certificate is numbered to match the print.