Femme torero. Dernier baiser?

Emerging from Spanish tradition, the bullfight is a central and symbolic theme in Picasso’s work. Since the 19th century, women have established successful careers as bullfighters. In this imposing print, Picasso portrays a female torero (bullfighter on horseback), a subject that appeared in his graphic work only briefly in the mid-1930s, with each representation bearing the face of his mistress and model Marie-Thérèse Walter. Among the largest of Picasso’s prints, Femme torero. Dernier baiser? presents the passion, violence, and drama of the bullfight as a metaphor for his deteriorating relationship with his wife, Olga, and his desire for Marie-Thérèse. Here, the torero, her horse, and the bull (representing Picasso) merge into a chaotic whirl of tumbling figures, posing the question: Who will prevail? First printed in 1939, the etching was never formally published, but fifty unsigned impressions are known. Mia’s impression is one of only three printed on vellum (calfskin), the only impressions signed by the artist.