This painting, which appealed to the Parisian vogue for Spanish art and culture, brought Manet his first popular and critical attention when it was shown in the Salon of 1861. Though the picture was admired for its masterful passages and realistic detail, Manet did not disguise the fact that it was a picturesque counterfeit, composed in the studio. The model's costume is not entirely Spanish; it was fashioned from various props Manet kept on hand. He is left-handed but holds a guitar for the right hand, and he is seated in a position that would make playing the instrument nearly impossible.

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