The artwork titled “Victorine Meurent in the Costume of an Espada” was crafted by Édouard Manet in Paris, France, in the year 1862. Executed in oil on canvas, the piece is a quintessential example of the Realism movement. It measures 165.1 by 127.6 cm and falls within the portrait genre.
The artwork portrays a female figure, Victorine Meurent, attired in the costume of an espada, a term used for bullfighters in Spain. She is depicted holding a red cloth in one hand, enhancing the realism with stark and precise detailing. The background captures a scene with other figures and perhaps bullfighting onlookers, bringing context to her persona. The use of shadow and light is meticulously balanced, highlighting both the physical and emotional expressions of the figure, thus emphasizing Manet’s skill in capturing human form and attire with a realistic approach.
