Each year during the winter on ganaderias in Spain and Mexico they have tientas, testings of young animals when they are approximately a year of age. Occasionally, they also test young bulls from two and a half to three years to see if they will serve as seed bulls.
Tientas are private affairs and the few that are invited to attend know the rules and speak in whispers, even the olé's are said softly. That was the way it was the first time I saw Sebastién torear. The ganaderia was "Santa Maria de Xalpa" a beautiful bull breeding ranch located near Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico.
As each bull is distinctive, so is each torero/matador. Although we often confuse the style of the majority of matadors by their similarities, the artists are able to express themselves through their toreo. They put their personal seal on each detail of their performance.
The confidence they have in themselves is exhibited in their posture and the subtlety that we see in their movements, the ease with which they create the essential beauty of the fiesta.
Sebastién Castella demonstrates the art he has within him with each animal he confronts. He is a maestro creating for each of us a living painting. Not with grand broad strokes, but filled with subtle details of color and light.
Sebastién Castella,
With the capote, the large cape you can see the gentle flowing movements of his wrists and hands as he appears to be holding the cape with the tips of his fingers. Not forcing the novillo to respond, but leading him gently.
And with the smaller cloth, the muleta, teasing the animal to follow.
Sebastién Castella, matador de toros de lidia, fighting bulls.
Saludos,
Morgan
