Juan Quintana (1954) - Refugio azul






Graduated as French auctioneer and worked in Sotheby’s Paris valuation department.
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 131192 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Refugio azul, an oil painting from 1970–1980 by Juan Quintana (1954), Spain, sold with frame.
Description from the seller
Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork by Juan Quintana, depicting the harmony between human beings and nature in a moment of calm and contemplation beside the sea. The painting stands out for its superb technique and the great pictorial quality it conveys.
· Frame dimensions: 38x66x3 cm.
· Work dimensions: 18x46 cm.
· Oil on panel, hand-signed by the artist in the bottom right corner.
· The piece is in good conservation condition.
· The work is sold with a precious frame (included in the auction as a gift).
The work 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 packed 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 transport itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos, GLS or NACEX with tracking. International shipping available.
------------------------------------------------------------------
This painting presents a coastline scene of great serenity, where the balance between earth and water becomes the main axis of the composition. In the foreground, a small white boat gently glides over a sea of deep, nuanced blues, its surface subtly reflecting light. Above it, a solitary figure holds an oar or pike, adopting a tranquil posture that conveys calm and concentration. This human presence, small in comparison to the surroundings, adds an intimate and contemplative dimension to the scene.
To the left, a large rocky formation dominates the space with its robust volume and irregular texture. Its warm tones—ochres, earths and golden hues—contrast with the blue of the water, creating a visual dialogue between the solid and the fluid. The shadows hinted in the rock’s cracks suggest depth and antiquity, as if time had slowly carved this structure. This element functions as a visual anchor, bringing stability to the composition.
The water occupies a large part of the frame, extending toward the horizon with a smoothness that evokes stillness. The small ripples and reflections are treated with care, suggesting an almost imperceptible movement. Near the boat, some rocks emerge from the water, breaking the surface and adding visual interest without disturbing the general calm. The interaction between the boat and these natural forms reinforces the sense of slow navigation in a tranquil setting.
In the background, a line of coastline unfolds horizontally, covered with dark vegetation that rises gently over the sea. These hills, treated with deep green tones, contrast with the clarity of the sky and the brightness of the water. The distance of this landscape provides perspective and depth, inviting the viewer to imagine what lies beyond what is visible. The sky, for its part, is clear and luminous, with a soft transition of tones suggesting a moment of atmospheric calm.
The scene as a whole conveys a sense of balance between human beings and nature. There is no drama or tension, but a silent harmony where each element finds its place. The figure in the boat seems to be part of the landscape, integrated into its rhythm and stillness, as if time had stopped at that precise moment.
Taken together, the work represents the serenity of an intimate moment in contact with nature, where solitude becomes peace and the landscape a refuge.
Seller's Story
Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork by Juan Quintana, depicting the harmony between human beings and nature in a moment of calm and contemplation beside the sea. The painting stands out for its superb technique and the great pictorial quality it conveys.
· Frame dimensions: 38x66x3 cm.
· Work dimensions: 18x46 cm.
· Oil on panel, hand-signed by the artist in the bottom right corner.
· The piece is in good conservation condition.
· The work is sold with a precious frame (included in the auction as a gift).
The work 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 packed 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 transport itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos, GLS or NACEX with tracking. International shipping available.
------------------------------------------------------------------
This painting presents a coastline scene of great serenity, where the balance between earth and water becomes the main axis of the composition. In the foreground, a small white boat gently glides over a sea of deep, nuanced blues, its surface subtly reflecting light. Above it, a solitary figure holds an oar or pike, adopting a tranquil posture that conveys calm and concentration. This human presence, small in comparison to the surroundings, adds an intimate and contemplative dimension to the scene.
To the left, a large rocky formation dominates the space with its robust volume and irregular texture. Its warm tones—ochres, earths and golden hues—contrast with the blue of the water, creating a visual dialogue between the solid and the fluid. The shadows hinted in the rock’s cracks suggest depth and antiquity, as if time had slowly carved this structure. This element functions as a visual anchor, bringing stability to the composition.
The water occupies a large part of the frame, extending toward the horizon with a smoothness that evokes stillness. The small ripples and reflections are treated with care, suggesting an almost imperceptible movement. Near the boat, some rocks emerge from the water, breaking the surface and adding visual interest without disturbing the general calm. The interaction between the boat and these natural forms reinforces the sense of slow navigation in a tranquil setting.
In the background, a line of coastline unfolds horizontally, covered with dark vegetation that rises gently over the sea. These hills, treated with deep green tones, contrast with the clarity of the sky and the brightness of the water. The distance of this landscape provides perspective and depth, inviting the viewer to imagine what lies beyond what is visible. The sky, for its part, is clear and luminous, with a soft transition of tones suggesting a moment of atmospheric calm.
The scene as a whole conveys a sense of balance between human beings and nature. There is no drama or tension, but a silent harmony where each element finds its place. The figure in the boat seems to be part of the landscape, integrated into its rhythm and stillness, as if time had stopped at that precise moment.
Taken together, the work represents the serenity of an intimate moment in contact with nature, where solitude becomes peace and the landscape a refuge.
