Josep Vilaseca (1954) - Oleaje y ciudad

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork by Josep Vilaseca, depicting the formidable energy of the sea confronting the coast and the city, symbolizing the unstoppable force of nature against human presence. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.

· Frame dimensions: 51x59x4 cm.
· Artwork dimensions: 38x46 cm.
· Oil on panel hand-signed by the artist in the lower-right corner, Vilaseca.
· The piece is in good condition.
· The work is sold with a beautiful frame (included in the auction as a gift).

The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.

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

The painting will be professionally boxed 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 packing and the transport itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos, GLS or NACEX with tracking. International shipping available.

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This painting presents a coastal scene dominated by the force of the sea on a gray, windy day, where nature imposes itself with intensity against the distant presence of the city. In the foreground, the waves churn with energy, forming white crests that crash violently against dark rocks. The composition places the viewer almost at water level, allowing them to feel the proximity of the raging sea and the power of each impact. The atmosphere is humid, dense, and full of movement, conveying a sense of immediacy and realism that envelops the gaze.

The waves unfold in superposed planes that add depth and visual rhythm. The dominant tones are grays, dark greens, and frothy whites, creating a dramatic contrast that highlights the water’s turbulence. Each wave seems to have its own direction and character, generating a natural choreography where the foam disperses in multiple directions. The rocks emerging in the foreground act as a visual anchor, offering a solid counterpoint to the sea’s fluidity. The clash between water and stone symbolizes the constant tension between the ephemeral and the permanent.

In the middle ground there is a strip of coastline protected by a breakwater line, separating the open sea from the beach. On the sand, small human figures add scale and life to the scene. Their vivid colors subtly stand out against the more sober palette of the surroundings, suggesting everyday activity despite the adverse weather. These figures, diminutive compared with the vastness of the sea, reinforce the idea of nature as the dominant force. The beach thus becomes a transitional space between the sea’s chaos and urban stability.

In the background a line of buildings rises up, defining the profile of the coastal city. The structures, in subdued tones, are cut against a sky covered with thick clouds that announce atmospheric instability. The horizon appears slightly diffused, as if the humidity of the air softens the contours. The city seems to observe from a distance the spectacle of the sea, maintaining a discreet but constant presence. This contrast between the natural and the built adds a narrative dimension that enriches the composition.

The sky, broad and heavy, occupies a significant portion of the painting, reinforcing the sense of changing weather. The clouds spread in irregular layers that reflect the same agitation as the water below. The light is diffuse, with no sharp shadows, which intensifies the melancholic and dramatic atmosphere. The scene transmits a powerful emotion, almost epic, where the sea becomes the absolute protagonist and the city a patient spectator of its uncontrollable energy.

All in all, the work represents the untamed force of the sea against human and urban presence, evoking the tension and balance between nature and civilization on a day of intense surf.