Pablo Picasso -- Torero on Horseback from Toros y Toreros

Pablo Picasso
Torero on Horseback from Toros y Toreros, 1961
Lithograph 
Sheet size: 26.7 x 37 cm
Publisher: Éditions Cercle d'Art, Paris.
 
This expressive lithograph by Pablo Picasso, dated July 14, 1959, is part of the Toros y Toreros series, published in 1961. Titled Torero on Horseback, the artwork captures the vibrant and chaotic energy of the Spanish bullfight. The image depicts a matador mounted on a powerful horse, rendered in Picasso's signature fluid lines and bold, gestural brushstrokes. Shades of deep purple, green, and black evoke the dramatic intensity of the arena, while abstracted forms highlight Picasso's mastery of emotion over strict realism. The Toros y Toreros series celebrates Spanish culture and the ritualistic drama of the corrida. Produced by Mourlot in Paris and published by Cercle d’Art, this edition reflects Picasso's profound connection to Spanish tradition and his unparalleled ability to capture movement and passion.