Title
‘De Luz’ - Solo Exhibition of Christian Gaillard
Posted In
Painting
Duration
16 October 2014 to 28 October 2014
Venue
Connoisseur Art Gallery
Detailed Information
Title‘De Luz’ - Solo Exhibition of Christian Gaillard Posted InPaintingDuration16 October 2014 to 28 October 2014
VenueConnoisseur Art Gallery

Regardless of one’s feelings about the traditional spectacle of bullfighting, one cannot but admire the extravagant costumes worn by toreros, which echo the flamboyant style of 19th-century dandies and are meticulously embroidered using shiny golden and silver thread — thus earning them the name ‘suit of lights’ (or ‘traje de luces’ in Spanish). Ever since the 1980’s, French painter Christian Gaillard has been creating portraits of bullfighters - his subjects include the greatest living bullfighters (some of whom are his personal friends) -  in a detailed, almost photorealistic style. Influenced by the style of Spanish master Diego VelázquezGaillard’s subjects are placed against a dark background with their backs turned to the viewer, thus making their dazzling costumes the centre of attention. The paintings also seek to capture the emotional state of the bullfighter, either before he enters the arena, or after facing the bull, covered in blood and being carried by the rest of his company.

'Matador in Emerald and Violet' by Christian Gaillard.Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'Matador in Emerald and Violet' by Christian Gaillard.
Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'The Silver Cup (II)' by Christian Gaillard.Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'The Silver Cup (II)' by Christian Gaillard.
Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'Velvet Cape' by Christian Gaillard.Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'Velvet Cape' by Christian Gaillard.
Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'White and Silver Suit' by Christian Gaillard.Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'White and Silver Suit' by Christian Gaillard.
Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

Artist studio with paintings in progress. Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

Artist studio with paintings in progress. Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'Ivory and Gold Suit' by Christian Gaillard.Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'Ivory and Gold Suit' by Christian Gaillard.
Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

Christian Gaillard’s impressive paintings are currently on display at the Connoisseur Art Gallery in Hong Kong, as part of the artist’s third solo exhibition in the city titled ‘De Luz’ (16-28 October, 2014).

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

'Veronese Green Cape' by Christian Gaillard.Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'Veronese Green Cape' by Christian Gaillard.
Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'Maria Vargas VII' by Christian Gaillard.Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

'Maria Vargas VII' by Christian Gaillard.
Photo Courtesy of the artist and Connoisseur Art Gallery.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Photo © Christian Gaillard.

Dressed to Kill: Portraits of Bullfighters by French Painter Christian Gaillard

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