Noche

Gaillard shows the matador moments before a fight, at a time of particular tension and emotion. Matadors are associated with pride, honour, skill and courage and these themes are effectively heightened in Gaillard’s paintings; he usually sets the matadors against a dark background which emphasises his jewel-like costume and heightens the drama and spectacle which is about to unfold.
The matadors distinctive costume, or traje de luces (suit of lights) as it is known, can cost several thousand dollars; a top matador must have at least six of them a season.

Gaillard’s work can be counted amongst a long history of depicting bullfighters in art and many artists such as Goya, Picasso, and Botero have used it to symbolize wider subjects including war, life and death. Christian Gaillard's ambitious paintings of bullfights have made his name all over the world. Gaillard has painted portraits of the greatest living matadors, many of whom are personal friends, including Ortega Cano, El Cordobes, Juan Bautista and Castella.

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