École de Valence (1930's) - Lumière sur le clocher

Oil on canvas – Valencian School, 1930s

An oil on canvas attributed to the Valencian school of the 1930s is presented, representative of the Mediterranean urban landscape characteristic of this period. The work shows a vertical composition dominated by a bell tower with a strong architectural presence, articulated in several sections and crowned by an upper cap with a lantern. The scene takes place on a slightly inclined urban street, flanked by traditional buildings that frame the perspective and guide the eye toward the background.

The composition reveals a structured approach, with a powerful central axis and a studied play of volumes. The artist resolves the architecture with a loose yet controlled brushstroke, combining areas of moderate impasto with glazes that nuance the sky and the light transitions. The color palette is organized with warm ochers, earth tones and greenish shadows on the architectural planes, contrasting with a light blue sky worked with light-ink clouds and an enveloping atmosphere.

The light, a fundamental element in the Valencian pictorial tradition, falls laterally on the tower, creating a marked contrast between illuminated areas and shadowed areas, which adds depth and restrained drama to the scene. Perspective is correctly resolved, with small-scale figures and vehicles providing scale and dynamism without detracting from the architectural ensemble.

In the lower right corner a signature and date (24-5-33) are visible, coherent with the indicated chronology. The work retains its original wooden stretcher. The frame shows some old woodworm holes, currently treated and inactive. On the reverse there is a later intervention of reinforcement or partial covering of the canvas, without affecting the frontal reading of the painting.

State of conservation:
The painted surface shows craquelure and wear typical of its age, with no significant structural alterations visible to the naked eye. The canvas is firmly mounted on the stretcher.

Important conditions:
Frames are shipped only as a courtesy. They are not part of the artwork’s monetary value, and their condition, conservation, or integrity during transport is not guaranteed.
We do not take responsibility for unjustified returns. Returns will only be accepted in case of a manifest error in the description of the item.
A representative work of Valencian urban landscape painting from the interwar period, ideal for collectors and lovers of early 20th-century Spanish painting.