A bronze statue of Toreador Spada Matador Pierre Jules Mêne

The current model de Matador and Picador à Cheval are the only two Spanish subjects ever created by the artist. the Matador and a Picador on horseback. Inspired by his journey to the Iberian peninsula, in Portugal but especially in Spain, with eyes full of images, here in the Opéra-Garnier, Georges Bizet gave his first comic opera Carmen on March 3, 1875. Nothing more fun to inspire our sculptor.

Toréador was first exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1877 and was viewed by a wider audience at the Paris World's Fair in 1878.

Pierre Jules Mêne himself publisher of his work, however, cast very few Matadores, barely more than ten. Most of the editions were made by his own daughter, Julie (1836-1898), wife of the sculptor Auguste Cain (1821-1894), who had succeeded her father in publishing his bronze statues.

A particularly beautifully detailed sculpture in excellent condition. An impressive addition to a top collection.