Spanish school (XIX) - Luminist Floral Still Life

Luminist Floral Still Life (Roses and Carnations in front of Marina

Valencian School, late 19th century
Signed (probable reading): “Vicente Romero” (bottom right corner)

IDENTIFICATION OF THE WORK
1.1 Technical and Support

Oil on canvas

1.2 Author and Chronology

Valencian school, late 19th century.
Signed in the bottom right corner (likely reading: "Vicente Romero").

1.3 Measures

Canvas 70–85 cm (landscape format)

Framed (approx.): 85x115 cm

A period frame in historicist style, with good presence, included as a gift.

ARTISTIC DESCRIPTION

2.1 Composition

Still-life floral subject of great decorative appeal: an exuberant bouquet of cream, pink, and crimson roses, with accents of red carnations, arranged in a dark vase with golden detailing on a terrace or parapet.

The backdrop is surprising in its dramatic ambition: a stretch of sea with a moving wave, which adds depth and a nearly narrative feel, rare in the genre.

2.2 Treatment of light and color

The piece rests on warm luminosity, with pearly whites and buttery yellows on the petals, contrasted by bright reds and deep greens.

The painter deliberately handles chiaroscuro: the bouquet emerges forcefully from a darker milieu, achieving volume and immediate presence, very characteristic of late nineteenth-century Valencian sensibilities.

2.3 Technical quality

Loose but controlled brushstroke, with impasto and glazes alternated to suggest organic textures (petal, leaf, damp shadow).

The visible craquelure adds patina and character, reinforcing the reading of an old, time-worn work, without diminishing legibility.

Historical Context and Author
3.1 School and Sensitivity

Within the Valencian tradition of the late 19th century, this type of flowers seeks to seduce with color, atmosphere, and a domestic elegance that engages bourgeois taste and cabinet painting.

3.2 Dating

In terms of palette, workmanship, and patina, the piece fits well within a late 19th to early 20th century period, preserving a distinctly nineteenth-century spirit.

3.3 Note of Interest (mystery and exclusivity)

Beyond the signature —a suggestive but inconclusive reading— the painting works like those works that captivate because of a discreetly veiled authorship and an unusual solution: floral + marine, a crossing of genres that makes it special and highly collectible.

Condition of Preservation

4.1 Support

Apparent stable canvas (according to the images). Correct framed mounting.

4.2 Painting Surface

General cracking consistent with age. No noticeable major losses in the main area; pleasant patina.

4.3 Marco

A frame with a strong aesthetic presence, suitable for immediate display.

Warranty, Transparency, and Service

5.1 Philosophy

Barcelona Art Gallery presents its works with professional curatorial standards, prioritizing transparency and rigor.

5.2 Commitment to the buyer

Honest and complete description

Direct communication

Support before and after the sale

5.3 Packaging and shipping

Professional packaging for framed artwork

Enhanced protection and certified/insured shipping

International shipping available

OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLECTING

6.1 Artistic value

A floral design with strong decorative impact and excellent color quality, set against a marine background that gives it a unique character.

6.2 Market Interest

The Valencian School luminist still lifes continue to be in high demand due to their ability to transform a space and their timeless appeal.

6.3 Auction context

Presented as a piece with presence, charm, and that hint of mystery that elevates its appeal: a work for someone who seeks something more than 'a pretty bloom'.