Bullfighter 1913

Juan Gris made this painting of a Bullfighter with pencil, charcoal, and wash, resulting in a kind of muted palette. I can imagine how it was built up, mark by mark, layer upon layer. It is a process of emergence, as forms shift through trial and error. I can feel the artist's sympathy for this bullfighter. I wonder, what might Gris have been thinking as he built up the figure in a series of planes? Notice how certain shapes become clear— the hat, the costume, the face. The application of the charcoal and wash looks quite thin, allowing the surface beneath to peek through, like the weave of canvas. The painting feels delicate, but confident. It feels like Gris found his own way of seeing the world, and this way of seeing is not unique to him, but contributes to painting’s long history. Artists have always learned from each other! Painting allows for multiple readings, reflecting the ambiguous nature of life.