Power in Porcelain
With El Matador, his newest creation for Lladro, sculptor Raul Rubio captures the passion of that most iconic of images: the Spanish bullfighter
The passionate athleticism of the matador the bull ghter is one of the most iconic images in Spanish culture. Strong and masculine yet lithe and graceful all at the same time, the matador evokes nobility and bravery under pressure, as well as the ability to face the most di cult of situations.
Sculptor Raul Rubio has captured the spirit of the bullfighter in the porcelain figure El Matador, the latest limited edition piece from Lladro. Here, Rubio portrays the bullfighter in the pensive moment just before he enters the ring and the bull is released: the pose is relaxed, but the mingled excitement and anxiety can be seen in the intense facial expression. His bearing is noble and dignified, yet he seems ready to spring into action: brave and defiant to the last.
It is not only the poise of the gure that the sculptor has immortalised in porcelain, but even the bull ghter’s clothing is depicted in exquisite detail. While the colours are not as vibrant as the ones in real life, the details are amazing. Rubio’s de hand has cra ed a traje de luces the traditional “suit of lights” embellished with roses and gold ligree; the texture on the bull ghter’s montera calls to mind that of the fur and velvet used to cra the actual hat.
Known for his exquisite and sometimes whimsical collections Parrot Party and Dogs and Candy, Rubio is a master sculptor who uses the delicacy of porcelain to convey strong emotions. With a keen eye for detail, he shapes every single one of his pieces by hand to create works of art that can be passed on from one generation to the next. In doing so, he continues to ensure that every piece he does for Lladro is in keeping with the brand’s emphasis on exceptional artistry, quality, and re nement.
RUBIO IS A MASTER SCULPTOR WHO USES DELICACY OF PORCELAIN TO CONVEY STRONG EMOTIONS. WITH A KEEN EYE FOR DETAIL, HE SHAPES EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HIS PIECES BY HAND TO CREATE WORKS OF ART
In the Philippines, Lladro is exclusively distributed by Rustan’s.