Antonio Riera (1947) - Rosas de verano

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork belonging to Antonio Riera, depicting a thoughtful young woman resting in a blooming garden, surrounded by roses and vegetation in a scene full of elegance, serenity and beauty. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.

· Dimensions of the work: 61x50x2 cm.
· Oil on canvas signed by the artist at the bottom right.
· The piece is in good condition.

The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.

Important note: the photographs included are an integral part of the lot description. Digital representation in a mockup is indicative; there may be differences with the actual item in color, scale and details.

The painting will be professionally packed by an IVEX expert, using high-quality materials to ensure its protection. The shipping price covers both the cost of professional packing and the actual transport.
Shipping will be carried out via Correos or GLS with tracking. International shipping available.

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This painting presents the elegant portrait of a young woman seated in a garden, surrounded by abundant vegetation and a beautiful set of roses climbing a brick wall. The figure occupies the center of the composition and is enveloped by a warm, luminous and serene atmosphere. Her relaxed posture, the gentleness of her features and the harmony of her clothing convey a sense of calm and refinement, while the surrounding nature makes the scene a small secluded shelter from the outside world.

The protagonist appears seated facing forward, though her body is slightly turned to one side. She keeps her back straight without stiffness and delicately rests her hands on her lap. This position conveys elegance and naturalness, as if the young woman had paused during a stroll in the garden. Her attitude does not seem solemnly posed, but captured in a tranquil moment of rest and contemplation.

The face is one of the main focal points. Her features are elongated and delicate, with a thoughtful expression that avoids direct eye contact with the viewer. The gaze is directed slightly to one side and seems focused on some thought or event located outside the scene. The closed lips and the serenity of the eyes heighten the introspective air, making the protagonist appear immersed in her inner world.

The curly hair falls freely around the face and over the shoulders. The tresses combine golden, chestnut, coppery and dark tones, unevenly illuminated by the clarity of the surroundings. Some areas receive warm highlights that add luminosity, while others are enveloped in deep shadows. This richness of nuances gives volume to the hair and creates a natural frame around the face.

The young woman wears a light blouse with a wide neckline, adorned with small details that add delicacy without distracting attention. The fabric smoothly adapts to the upper body and leaves the shoulders partially uncovered, reinforcing the fresh and summery nature of the scene. The lightness of the garment brightens the center of the composition and contrasts with the intense greens of the vegetation and the warmer tones of the skirt.

Over the arms she wears a shawl or a light garment in yellowish and greenish tones, decorated with small bluish, dark and reddish notes. The fabric falls informally around the elbows and seems to have slid slightly during the rest. Its colors establish a transition between the white blouse and the golden skirt, unifying the attire. Moreover, its arrangement contributes to a sense of comfort and spontaneity.

The skirt occupies a large part of the lower area and becomes one of the most striking elements of the portrait. It is composed of a broad mix of yellows, ochers, browns, oranges and light reflections. Its numerous folds descend from the lap and create a vertical movement that elongates the figure. The dark and reddish areas distributed across the fabric add depth and prevent the golden color from looking uniform.

The hands rest gently on the skirt and reinforce the tranquility of the posture. One crosses the lap while the other remains resting near the knee. The fingers, long and relaxed, do not hold any object, allowing all attention to fall on the natural gesture. This absence of tension in the hands conveys calm and contributes to the feeling that the protagonist is comfortable within her surroundings.

The right side is occupied by a wall of bricks in pinkish, reddish, white and brown tones. The horizontal arrangement of the bricks provides structure and stability to the composition, contrasting with the free and organic shapes of the vegetation. On this wall grows an exuberant old rose, whose branches extend from the top almost to the bottom area. Architecture and nature thus appear intimately united.

The roses display a wide variety of pink tones, from pale and delicate shades to deeper reds. Some flowers are fully open, while others seem to retain a more gathered form. The green and dark leaves frame each bloom and create small contrasts of light and shade. This floral abundance adds beauty, romance and vibrant vitality to the young woman’s surroundings.

The arrangement of the rose establishes a symbolic relationship with the protagonist. The flowers surround her face and body without invading the central space completely, as if nature quietly accompanied her presence. The youth and delicacy of the woman find a reflection in the roses, while the darker branches and leaves suggest the hidden complexity behind that beauty. This correspondence gives the portrait a poetic dimension.

On the left side extends abundant vegetation formed by leaves, shrubs and plants of different sizes. The greens range from deep, blueish tones to bright yellows that seem to receive direct light. The plant forms overlap and generate a sense of depth, making the garden appear to extend far beyond the visible limits. The young woman thus remains protected between the vegetation and the flowering wall.

The upper background is clear and bright, with yellow, beige, greens and pinkish areas that suggest the presence of a building or a sun-drenched path. The details become less defined as they recede, allowing the focus to stay on the figure. This clarity adds air to the composition and prevents the abundant vegetation from creating a closed atmosphere. Everything seems illuminated by a soft spring or summer light.

The chromatic combination decisively contributes to the character of the work. The golden yellows of the skirt dialog with the hair highlights and with the illuminated areas of the garden. The pinks of the flowers relate to the bricks and the delicate nuances of the face, while the greens wrap around the protagonist and balance the warm tones. This harmony creates a scene that is welcoming, elegant and full of life.

The portrait invites us to imagine the woman’s story. She could be resting in her home garden, waiting for someone to arrive or simply enjoying a moment of solitude. Her distant gaze introduces a note of mystery and melancholy within a color-filled environment. Although the scene seems bright and pleasant, the restrained expression of the protagonist hints at deeper thoughts not fully revealed.

The work combines the beauty of portraiture with the richness of a blooming garden. The human figure is not separated from the landscape but fully integrated into it through colors, shapes and light. The hair seems to share the golden tones of the vegetation, the skirt captures the warmth of the surroundings and the roses accompany the delicacy of the face. This unity turns the scene into a celebration of youth, nature, and contemplation.

Overall, the work depicts a young elegant and thoughtful woman resting in a garden full of vegetation, beside a wall covered with pink roses. Her serene posture, the delicacy of her gaze, the luminosity of her attire and the exuberance of the flowers create a romantic and deeply harmonious scene. The painting conveys beauty, tranquility and a soft melancholy, turning a everyday moment of rest into a poetic evocation of youth and nature.