The breathtaking work of art entitled "The Death of the Master" by the artist José Villegas Cordero (Seville, 1844 - Madrid, 1921) absolutely captivated me. This oil painting on canvas dominates an exhibition hall in the Museum of Fine Arts in Seville and measures 330 x 505 cm. It was created around 1884. This monumental masterpiece is the culmination of a series of paintings dedicated to a typically Spanish theme – bullfighting. What makes it truly unique within its romantic genre is its grand conception as a historical painting.
This work of art was born out of the vivid inspiration of a bullfight that took place in honour of El Tato, an event that Villegas himself attended in the bullring La Maestranza in Seville. It was a fateful occasion in which the matador Bocanegra suffered a serious injury. At that moment, Villegas recorded his impressions in notes that later found their way onto the canvas. It is astonishing that this masterpiece took fifteen years to complete and was marked by constant refinements and changes.
The painting unfolds a dramatic scene in the chapel of the bullring. The expressive figures in the composition show a wide range of sincere and genuine emotions as they surround the lifeless body of the master.
As for the technique, you can observe variations in the way the paint is applied. Some areas are so delicately layered that the texture of the canvas shines through. In contrast, there are sections of thick impasto that reflect the various stages of change. With each layer applied, the brushstrokes become denser, creating a glossy surface that hides the underlying texture of the fabric. The colour palette also changes, becoming more vibrant and bold, with an increased play of light and shadow that adds more emotion and seriousness to the scene.
This artwork really speaks to me and I found its subtleties endlessly captivating. It's a good thing there's a bench right in front of it.
