Located in Sitges, Barcelona
Title: Bullfighting Scene
Artist: José María Tuser Vázquez (1919-1986)
Technique: Oil on board
Dimensions: 25.6 x 21.3 in (65 x 54 cm) Frameless
Period: Second half of the 20th century
Art Movement: Figurative Expressionism with Impressionist influences
Condition: Good, with visible signs of aging on the surface
DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK
This painting captures a crucial moment in a bullfight, where the matador, dressed in a dazzling traje de luces (suit of lights), elegantly holds the red cape (muleta) while facing a wounded bull. The scene conveys tension and drama through energetic and loose brushwork, with strong contrasts of light and color that enhance its expressiveness.
The abstract background, built with gestural brushstrokes in warm, earthy tones, reinforces the dynamism and immediacy of the moment. The thick texture of the paint and the vibrant colors in the matador's attire and cape are characteristic of Figurative Expressionism, giving the work a strong emotional impact.
Tuser masterfully captures the essence of movement and the intensity of the bullfight through a painterly approach reminiscent of Impressionism, but with a greater emphasis on gesture and expressive color, making his work stand out for its raw energy and dramatic depth.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
José María Tuser Vázquez (Barcelona, 1919 - 1986) was a Spanish painter specialized in bullfighting themes, gaining recognition in the 20th-century art scene for his expressive depictions of the corrida (bullfight). He studied at the School of Arts and Crafts in Barcelona, where he developed a strong mastery of color and composition.
From 1947 onwards, his work focused almost entirely on bullfighting, creating posters, illustrations, and paintings that capture the emotion and spectacle of the arena. He was a frequent collaborator with El Ruedo magazine, where his illustrations and covers solidified his reputation. Additionally, in the 1940s, he designed series of postcards featuring traditional Spanish costumes for the Artigas Publishing House.
His work has been auctioned in several art houses and is highly valued among collectors of bullfighting paintings. His influence and legacy in tauromaquia (bullfighting art...
Category
1950s Impressionist Board Animal Paintings