GCGEPU-088 1953 Aw-Come On Gil Elvgren (1914-1980)

The composition presents a woman in a stylized matadors attire, posed with a vibrant red cloth. She stands against a stark white background, which emphasizes her form and the boldness of the color palette. The artist has rendered her with an exaggeratedly feminine silhouette; the short skirt reveals shapely legs clad in sheer stockings, while the fitted jacket accentuates her bust. A dark beret sits jauntily on her head, completing the theatrical costume. Her expression is one of playful invitation, a direct gaze meeting the viewers with a suggestive smile.
The red cloth dominates the foreground, its folds and draping creating dynamic lines that draw the eye across the image. At the base of the composition, a small, dark-furred dog looks up at the woman with an expression of eager anticipation or perhaps mild alarm. Scattered around the dog are what appear to be discarded pieces of fruit – cherries or similar berries – adding a touch of whimsy and further disrupting any sense of seriousness associated with bullfighting imagery.
Subtextually, the work appears to deconstruct traditional notions of masculinity and power. The matadors costume is appropriated by a woman, subverting the established gender roles inherent in the ritual. The playful demeanor and suggestive pose undermine the perceived danger and aggression typically linked to bullfighting. The presence of the small dog and scattered fruit introduces an element of domesticity and lightheartedness, further diminishing any potential for gravitas.
The overall effect is one of calculated artifice – a carefully constructed scenario designed to be both alluring and humorous. It’s not a depiction of actual bullfighting but rather a playful commentary on cultural symbols and gender dynamics, utilizing the visual language of popular culture to create an image that is simultaneously provocative and entertaining.