Antonio Riera (1947) - Rosas de verano

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork owned by Antonio Riera, depicting a contemplative young woman resting in a flowering 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 hand-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 included photographs are 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 an IVEX expert, using high-quality materials to ensure its protection. The shipping price covers both the cost of professional packaging and the transportation itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos or GLS with tracking. International shipping available.

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This painting features the elegant portrait of a young woman seated in a garden, surrounded by abundant vegetation and a beautiful array 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 softness of her features, and the harmony of her attire convey a sense of calm and refinement, while the surrounding nature turns the scene into a small retreat away 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 transmits elegance and naturalness, as if the young woman had paused during a stroll in the garden. Her attitude does not seem solemnly prepared, but captured in a quiet moment of rest and contemplation.

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

Her curly hair falls freely around the face and over the shoulders. The hair combines golden, brown, cuprous, and dark tones, unevenly illuminated by the surrounding light. Some areas receive warm highlights that add luminosity, while others are shrouded in deep shadows. This richness of shades 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 gently fits the upper body and leaves the shoulders partially exposed, reinforcing the fresh, summery character of the scene. The brightness of the garment illuminates the center of the composition and contrasts with the deep greens of the vegetation and with the warmer tones of the skirt.

Over the arms she wears a shawl or a light garment in yellow 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 outfit. Additionally, its arrangement helps create 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 combination of yellows, ochres, browns, oranges, and light reflections. Its numerous pleats descend from the lap and create vertical movement that lengthens the figure. The dark and reddish areas distributed across the fabric provide depth and prevent the golden color from appearing uniform.

The hands rest softly on the skirt and reinforce the calm of the posture. One crosses the lap while the other remains supported near the knee. The fingers, long and relaxed, do not hold any object, allowing all attention to fall on the natural gesture. This lack of tension in the hands communicates quiet and contributes to the sense 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, organic shapes of the vegetation. On this wall grows a lush rose bush, whose branches extend from the top almost to the lower area. Architecture and nature thus appear intimately united.

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

The arrangement of the rose bush establishes a symbolic relationship with the protagonist. The flowers surround her face and body without completely invading the central space, as if nature silently accompanies 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 lends the portrait a poetic dimension.

On the left side, abundant vegetation extends, formed by leaves, shrubs, and plants of different sizes. The greens vary from deep, bluish tones to luminous yellows that seem to receive direct light. The vegetal forms overlap and create a sense of depth, making the garden seem to continue far beyond the visible limits. The young woman thus remains protected among the vegetation and the flowering wall.

The upper background is clear and bright, with areas of yellow, beige, greens, and pinks suggesting the presence of a building or a sunlit path. The details become less defined as they recede, allowing the focus to remain 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 color harmony decisively contributes to the work’s character. The golden yellows of the skirt dialogue with the hair highlights and the sunlit areas of the garden. The pinks of the flowers relate to the bricks and to the delicate nuances of the face, while the greens envelop the protagonist and balance the warm tones. This harmony creates a warm, elegant, and lively scene.

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

The work combines the beauty of the portrait with the richness of a garden in full bloom. The human figure is not separated from the landscape but fully integrated with it through color, form, and light. The hair appears to share the gold 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 portrays a young, elegant, and contemplative 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.