Santiago Puig Valls (1943) - Barcelona

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork by Puig Valls, depicting a lively urban square after the rain, with pedestrians, cars, and a monument surrounded by historic buildings beneath a sky of large clouds. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.

• Framed dimensions: 86x99x8 cm.
• Unframed dimensions: 60x73 cm.
• Oil on canvas hand-signed by the artist on the left side of the work, Puig Valls.
• 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 form an integral part of the lot description. Digital representation in an indicative mockup; there may be differences from the actual item in color, scale and details.

The painting will be professionally packed by IVEX (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 is available.

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This painting presents a wide urban square after the rain, surrounded by elegant buildings and animated by pedestrians, cars and a large statue located on the left side. The wet paving captures small reflections of the architecture and the sky, while voluminous clouds extend over the whole city. The scene combines the everyday movement of people with the solidity of the buildings and the monumentality of the public space. The result conveys freshness, depth and a pleasant sense of urban life.

The square opens from the foreground and leads the gaze toward the streets that continue between the buildings. Its surface appears divided by sidewalks, curbs and broad areas of movement that form curved and diagonal lines. These directions organize the composition and visually guide toward the center. The viewer seems to stand on a corner, observing the traffic from a slightly distant position.

The pavement is one of the most expressive elements. The grays, greens, blues and beige tones mingle with small pink, yellow and white reflections. Some areas seem still covered by a thin layer of water, especially at the bottom. The moisture softens the street’s appearance and adds a special luminosity to the scene.

In the lower-left foreground appear a woman and a child walking together. The woman wears a long reddish dress or coat, accompanied by a light hat that stands out against the background. Beside her, the child wears yellow and dark garments and seems to progress with small steps. Both figures introduce a daily and affectionate scene within the breadth of the square.

The elongated shadow of these two figures is projected on the ground and reinforces their presence. The woman appears to tilt her body slightly toward the child, as if guiding or protecting him as they cross. Their warm colors contrast with the cool tones of the pavement. This small group adds human closeness and establishes a first narrative point.

At the far right are two men conversing or waiting by the sidewalk. One wears a light jacket and dark pants, while the other appears in a bluish item and greenish pants. Their bodies are slightly oriented toward each other, suggesting an informal conversation. The presence of these figures visually balances the woman and child on the opposite side.

Nearby rise a post and a dark streetlamp that frame the right edge. The verticality of these elements contrasts with the horizontal lines of the square and the façades. The streetlamp seems to belong to elegant, traditional urban furniture. Its dark color intensifies the depth of this area.

In the center of the scene a black car moves around the square. Its dark body reflects small bright notes and stands out clearly against the illuminated buildings. The vehicle’s position introduces movement and situates the scene in a modern city. Other cars appear parked or partially hidden near the façades.

The road describes a curve around a central green area. This arrangement makes the square seem wide and organized, with different spaces devoted to transit and strolling. The gray tones of the roadway alternate with greens and reddish hues. The circular shape helps guide the eye across the entire composition.

The statue on the left rises on a light stone pedestal. It depicts a humanoid figure dressed with a cloak or overcoat, oriented toward the square. Its dark silhouette stands out against the clarity of the sky and buildings. The monumentality of this figure suggests that it represents an important person for the city’s history or identity.

The pedestal has several levels and a broad base that reinforces the monument’s importance. Around it extends a garden area with grass and red flowers. This green space introduces color and creates a transition between the statue, the street and the buildings. Some people seem to walk near the monument, reinforcing its function as a meeting point.

The red flowers surrounding the statue form a warm, very visible band. Their color contrasts with the greens of the lawn and with the dark tones of the base. Although they appear simply, they bring joy and care to the public space. The square is not only a place to pass through but also a space designed for contemplation and rest.

The background buildings feature façades in ochre, yellow, brown and cream. Their windows are regularly distributed and some show small balconies or dark frames. The light makes the central buildings appear especially warm. This clarity contrasts with the darker buildings on either side.

The large central building has several stories and a façade organized by a sequence of windows and balconies. Its yellow and golden tones draw the eye and make the structure one of the main focal points of the scene. The reddish roof adds a warm note that dialogues with the flowers and with the clothing of some figures. The architecture conveys elegance and historic character.

To the left rises a darker building, represented with deep browns and grays. Its curved façade follows the square’s outline and contains numerous vertically distributed windows. The shadow covering this building creates a strong contrast with the central luminosity. This difference helps direct the gaze toward the streets in the background.

On the right side appear buildings of varied styles and heights. Some have dark façades, while others show yellow walls, red roofs and ornamental details. A tower or spire rises at the far end, partially cropped by the edge. This architectural diversity enriches the urban landscape and suggests a city formed over different eras.

The streets opening between the buildings create a strong sense of depth. The road near the monument narrows progressively and disappears between distant façades. Other small streets seem to continue behind the central buildings. This organization invites the viewer to imagine the rest of the city beyond the square.

The sky occupies almost the upper half and is covered by large clouds in shades of gray, white, bluish and greenish. Some masses appear particularly dark, while others receive a clearer light that illuminates their edges. The contrast suggests changeable weather, possibly after a storm. The atmosphere retains moisture, but also a renewed clarity.

Among the clouds small brighter spaces open up that allow light to enter. This clarity is projected onto the central façades and onto certain areas of the pavement. The buildings seem to alternate between shadow and light as the clouds pass. The urban landscape thus takes on a lively, changing appearance.

The work captures a everyday moment without depicting any extraordinary event. People stroll, converse or cross the square; vehicles move; and the city continues its usual pace. However, the post-rain light transforms these simple actions and gives them a special beauty. The space feels freshly washed and full of renewed freshness.

The composition is balanced by the distribution of large masses. The dark buildings at the extremes frame the bright central façades; the statue balances the figures on the right; and the sky opens above the square. The curved lines of the roadway soften the rigidity of the architecture. Everything is united by the humid atmosphere and the diffuse light.

The warm and cool colors coexist harmoniously. The yellows and ochres of the buildings provide warmth, while the blues and grays of the sky and ground convey freshness. The reds of the flowers and clothing introduce vitality. The greens of the garden and some reflections balance the whole and connect nature with the architecture.

Overall, the work represents an elegant urban square after the rain, where pedestrians and cars circulate around a monument surrounded by gardens and historic buildings. The wet paving, the large clouds, and the light illuminating the façades create a fresh, dynamic, and slightly nostalgic atmosphere. The painting celebrates the beauty of daily life in the city and turns a common moment into a scene rich in depth, movement, and character.