Morante de la Puebla has the uncanny ability to make something incredibly dangerous look incredibly elegant!
Here he passes the bull, Togado (ganadería Zalduendo), in Valladolid, Spain, during the bullfight in honor of Victor Barrio, held on September 4, 2016.
A close up of Spanish matador Morante de la Puebla, as he awaits his entrance into Plaza Mexico.
Photographed on the afternoon of December 10, 2019.
Matador Morante de la Puebla awaits his entrance to Plaza Mexico on the afternoon of November 10, 2019.
At my recent shows in Mexico City and Guadalajara, I was frequently asked my opinions on different bullfighters.
My response was that each matador brought to mind a different word. Roca Rey: electrifying. José Tomás: purity. Morante de la Puebla: poetry.
La poesía describes Morante's sublime style. Often times it seems his passes are in slow-motion, his temple (passing the cape at just a certain speed to keep the bull at just a certain speed) is so perfect. His gesture, absence of gesture, or a raised or lowered hand, makes the difference between mechanics and poetry.
As a former matador who was sitting next to me commented (something is lost in memory and translation): "Many ears are cut, but artistry is rare."
Here is Morante passing his second bull, Agua Nieve, (Bernaldo de Quirós), from which he would be awarded an ear.
Photographed in Plaza Mexico on November 10 of this year.
Morante de la Puebla with the bull, Pikachú (ganadería Teófilo Gómez), Guadalajara, February 11, 2017.
Morante de la Puebla con el toro Pikachú (ganadería Teófilo Gómez), Guadalajara, 11 febrero 2017.
February 11, 2017, Plaza Nuevo Progreso, Guadalajara, Mexico.
Guadalajara, Mexico, February 11, 2017.
Morante de la Puebla is a Spanish matador considered by many to be the most artistic, though idiosyncratic, of all practicing matadors. He performed in Guadalajara, Mexico on February 11 of this year. His artistry was apparent, though he was unable to coax much bravery from his two lethargic bulls, and cut no ears. Here he passes the bull Limoncito, (ganadería Teófilo Gómez).
Muchos aficionados consideran que Morante de la Puebla, matador español, es el matador más artistico, aunque idiosincrático, del mundo. Lo he visto en Guadalajara, Mexico, 11 febrero 2017. No cortó oreja de sus toros mansos, pero sus talento artistico se podia observar. Aquí pasa por la muleta el toro Limoncito (ganadería Teófilo Gómez).