Mlle. Victorine in the Costume of an "Espada" 1862

This etching, titled "Mlle. Victorine in the Costume of an 'Espada'," is a work by French artist Édouard Manet. Created in 1862, it depicts Manet's model Victorine Meurent, the subject of several of his paintings, dressed in a bullfighter's costume, holding a sword and a cape. The work, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a prime example of Manet's exploration of contemporary Parisian life, which often featured female subjects engaging in unconventional activities. The image is a reminder of Manet's fascination with the Spanish culture and its rituals, which he observed during his travels to Madrid. The etching's composition and use of line are characteristic of Manet's later works, particularly his etchings and prints.