Raúl Martínez Ildeforn (1933-2006) - La cosechadora

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork by Raúl Martínez, which represents the dignity and serenity of agricultural work, showing the deep bond between the peasant woman, the land, and the natural cycle of the harvest. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the great pictorial quality it conveys.

Dimensions with frame: 52x60x5 cm.
Unframed dimensions: 35 × 42 cm.
· Oil on canvas, hand-signed by the artist in the lower right corner, Raul.
· The piece is in good condition.
· The artwork is sold with a beautiful frame (included in the auction as a gift).

The artwork comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.

Important note: the included photographs are an integral part of the lot description.

The painting will be professionally packaged by an IVEX expert (https://www.instagram.com/ivex.online/), using high-quality materials to ensure its protection. The shipping price covers both the cost of professional packaging and the transportation itself.
The shipment will be sent via Correos, GLS, or NACEX with tracking. International shipments are available.

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This painting depicts a peasant woman in the midst of agricultural work, captured in a moment of serenity and concentration as she holds a large sheaf of golden ears. The figure appears in the foreground, occupying the center of the composition, which reinforces her protagonism and dignifies her labor. Her posture is firm and natural, with her arms embracing the wheat, conveying restrained effort and a direct connection with the land she works.
The woman's face conveys calm and quiet contemplation. Her gaze is directed downward, as if she were immersed in the task or in silent thoughts tied to the repetitive rhythm of fieldwork. The features are soft and human, distant from any drama, which gives a sense of honesty and everyday life. The headscarf that covers her head and the wide-brimmed hat not only shield her from the sun, but also reinforce her rural identity and her integration with the surroundings.
The clothing is simple and functional, dominated by light tones that delicately contrast with the warm colors of the wheat. The wide sleeves and the apron suggest a long, arduous day, while the folds of the fabric add movement and realism to the figure. The hands, sturdy and expressive, firmly grasp the ears of wheat, becoming a clear symbol of manual labor and of the direct bond between the person and the harvest.
The landscape surrounding the figure opens out into an expansive field of golds and ochres, stretching toward the horizon under a wide, bright sky. This background reinforces the sense of breadth and natural cycles, where earth and sky meet in balance. The absence of other characters accentuates the scene's serene solitude and highlights the intimate relationship between the woman and the field.
The composition achieves a harmonious balance between figure and surroundings, where nothing is excessive or superfluous. Each element seems placed naturally, guiding the viewer's gaze from the peasant woman's face to the sheaf of wheat and, finally, to the vastness of the rural landscape. The scene conveys a sense of respect, quietness, and continuity, as if time had paused at an essential moment of rural life.
Taken together, the painting offers a poetic and humane view of farm work, exalting the dignity, the serenity, and the deep connection between the person and the land they cultivate.