Artwork
After the Bullfight
After the Bullfight is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt. It dates from 1873 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Accession no.
- 31816
- Credit line
- Bequest of Mrs. Sterling Morton
About this work
Overview
Though known for intimate domestic scenes, Cassatt turned to Spanish themes after studying Old Master works and engaging with contemporary French modernists.
Painted during Mary Cassatt’s time in Seville, this oil on canvas captures a bullfighter at rest, away from the arena’s drama. Though known for intimate domestic scenes, Cassatt turned to Spanish themes after studying Old Master works and engaging with contemporary French modernists. The composition strips away spectacle, focusing instead on the figure’s quiet presence and the texture of his attire.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a torero in full ceremonial dress, seated and still, his posture relaxed rather than heroic. Cassatt avoids the violence or pageantry of the bullfight, choosing instead to portray the man behind the role. This shift from event to individual suggests a humanizing gaze, emphasizing identity over spectacle and inviting contemplation of the performer’s solitude.
Technique & Style
Cassatt employs bold, energetic brushstrokes to render the bullfighter’s embroidered costume, emphasizing fabric weight and metallic sheen. The background is muted and simplified, allowing the figure to dominate visually. Rich pigments and loose handling reflect modernist tendencies, aligning with contemporaries like Manet while retaining Cassatt’s attention to surface and form.
History & Provenance
Created during Cassatt’s 1870s sojourn in Spain, the work stems from her study of Spanish art and her alignment with avant-garde circles in Paris. It reflects her broader interest in non-traditional subjects and her willingness to engage with foreign cultural motifs. The painting remained in private hands until entering a public collection in the 20th century.
Context
While Spanish bullfighting was a popular theme among 19th-century European artists, Cassatt’s approach diverged from dramatic or romanticized depictions. Her focus on stillness and personal presence aligns with broader shifts in modern painting toward psychological depth and everyday moments, even within exoticized subjects.
Legacy
This work stands as an example of Cassatt’s willingness to expand beyond her usual subjects, demonstrating her engagement with international artistic currents. It reveals her capacity to reinterpret foreign traditions through a modernist lens, contributing to a broader dialogue on identity, performance, and representation in late 19th-century art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Mary Stevenson Cassatt (; May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker.
