Pan Am - Mexico Matador and Bull

This electrifying original vintage poster was created in the 1950s by Carlos Ruano Llopis (1878–1950), one of the most celebrated bullfighting artists of the 20th century. Commissioned by Mexicana de Aviación, in partnership with the Pan American System, this poster was designed to promote Mexico as a cultural destination where tradition, drama, and national pride converge.
At the center of the composition is a breathtaking bullfighting scene: a matador—elegantly dressed in a richly ornamented traje de luces—draws his red cape with theatrical flair as the bull charges forward, muscles tensed and hooves striking the dust. The warm palette of golds, reds, and browns evokes the heat and intensity of the arena, while a Mexicana airliner soars above in the top right, connecting the old world of the plaza de toros to the modern excitement of international air travel.
Carlos Ruano Llopis was born in Alicante, Spain, and trained in classical painting before rising to prominence for his powerful and emotionally charged bullfighting posters. By the 1930s, he had become a dominant figure in Spanish lithography. After emigrating to Mexico City in 1934, Llopis continued to explore the rich traditions of Mexican and Spanish heritage through his art, blending them with contemporary life and modern media.
His posters, like this one, are known for their immediacy and drama, combining technical mastery with a deep understanding of the bullfight’s ceremonial and cultural significance. With this poster, Llopis offered more than an advertisement—he crafted a passionate invitation to experience Mexico’s enduring spirit.
This is an Original Vintage Poster; it is not a reproduction. It is conservation mounted, linen backed, and in excellent condition. We guarantee the authenticity of all of our posters.