Toreador suit
The tradition of bullfighting spread to Mexico with the Spanish occupation in the 16th century. The traditional traje de luces or suit of lights consists of fitted knee-length pants, vest, jacket, tie, pink stockings, and cape, and has remained unchanged for nearly two hundred years. The suits are quite expensive and take up to a month to create, with several seamstresses working in conjunction. The most traditional are densely embroidered in metallic gold and silver braid, beads, and sequins.
Artwork Details
- Title: Toreador suit
- Date: fourth quarter 19th century
- Culture: probably Mexican
- Medium: silk, metal, glass
- Dimensions: Length at CB (a): 18 in. (45.7 cm)
Length at CB (b): 37 in. (94 cm)
Length at CF (c): 17 in. (43.2 cm) - Classification: Main dress-Menswear
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Adele Simpson, 1945
- Object Number: 2009.300.115a–c
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Albert Coles
ca. 1840
SC. Demarest
1876
Bliss Bros. Co.
19th century
Barbadian
19th century
American
late 19th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.