The Little Bull Fight, "Bravo Toro!"

Melville employs transparent watercolour to suggest movement and atmosphere. Bold strokes define the bull’s form, while the figures and architecture are suggested with diluted pigments and soft edges. The contrast between the vivid reds and yellows of the arena’s backdrop and the muted tones of the crowd enhances spatial depth, demonstrating his command of light and wash to convey immediacy without detail.

The work was exhibited in 1889 at the Royal Watercolour Society and appeared in the 1906 catalogue of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour. It was later reproduced in two early 20th-century publications on watercolour technique. Acquired by its current holder on 20 February 1906, the painting has remained in institutional custody, indicating its value as a representative example of Melville’s mature style.

Melville’s interest in Spanish themes emerged during travels in the 1880s, when he recorded scenes of local life with an emphasis on atmosphere over narrative. *The Little Bull Fight* reflects a broader Victorian fascination with Iberian culture, filtered through an artist’s eye for colour and motion. Unlike documentary depictions, his approach prioritizes emotional resonance over ethnographic accuracy.

The painting endures as a testament to Melville’s role in elevating watercolour beyond delicate landscapes. Its inclusion in key exhibitions and publications helped establish his reputation among peers. While not widely reproduced today, it remains a significant example of how watercolour could convey dynamic, culturally charged subjects with subtlety and force.