Enrique Munné (1880-1949) - El sendero de la ladera

Pictura Subastas presents this magnificent artwork by Enrique Munné, depicting a path that disappears among the vegetation and reddish slopes, as a symbol of exploration, transformation, effort and the passage of time. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.

· Dimensions of the work: 60x81x2 cm.
· Oil on canvas hand-signed by the artist at the bottom right.
· The piece is in good conservation 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 mockup representation; there may be differences from the actual item in color, scale and details.

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 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 rugged and deeply enveloping landscape, dominated by abundant vegetation that covers the slopes in an extraordinary blend of greens, yellows, ochres, oranges, reds, violets and blacks. From the lower-left corner a light-brown path originates, entering the scrub and progressively disappearing into the dense growth. The terrain rises to the right forming a large reddish slope crowned by trees and shrubs, while a grayish and luminous sky occupies a narrow upper band. The scene conveys the feeling of a secluded, silent natural corner, where vegetation has grown freely and each color seems to announce a seasonal change.

The path constitutes the main visual access to the landscape. It starts relatively wide and narrows as it advances toward the center. Its course curves gently to the right before becoming hidden by the vegetation. This direction generates depth and invites the viewer to imagine what may lie beyond the visible area.

The surface of the path is made up of beige, yellow, ochre, soft browns and small pinkish hues. Some areas appear illuminated, while others take on greenish and violet shadows. This variety suggests uneven terrain, covered with dust, small stones and plant debris. The path seems old and adapted to the natural shape of the slope.

Along its margins numerous plants partially invade the passage. Some leaves and branches lean toward the center, reducing the width of the path. This vegetal presence reinforces the sense of a little-traveled place. The path does not dominate nature; it tries to carve its way through it.

At the bottom right extends a large mass of low vegetation. The dark greens mix with yellows, grays, blues and small violet tones. The plants vary in height and direction, creating a surface full of movement. Some look like young grasses, while others recall denser bushes.

Among the greens there are numerous yellow accents that bring brightness. They can be interpreted as illuminated leaves, small flowers or vegetation beginning to dry. Their irregular distribution prevents the area from looking uniform. These warm flashes seem to catch light coming from the sky.

Small light stones are also discernible in the lower right. Their whites, grays and bluish tones contrast with the darkness of the plants. Some are partially covered by leaves and stems, showing the abundance of vegetal growth. These elements add weight and stability to the foreground.

On the left side a particularly dark zone concentrates. Here, branches, shrubs and small trunks overlay in blacks, browns, deep greens and violets. The density of this vegetation creates a sense of mystery. The interior seems cool, shaded and hard to traverse.

Numerous fine branches run through that area in different directions. Some rise vertically, while others cross and form a complex network. Their gray and brown tones allow them to stand out over the dark background spots. The accumulation conveys the image of wild vegetation that has grown without intervention.

Among the shadows there are some reddish and orange zones. These colors may correspond to dried leaves, exposed earth, or plants affected by seasonal change. Their presence adds warmth and visually links with the large slope in the background. Even in the darkest zone, the landscape retains rich chromatic diversity.

The central part is dominated by a large accumulation of shrubs in dark greens, yellows and near-black tones. This mass forms a natural barrier that hides the continuation of the path. The plants seem to grow at different levels and adapt to the slope. Some shapes rise like small canopies and others descend toward the path.

In the left-center stands out a wide yellow and golden area. Its brightness contrasts with the deep violets located beneath. It may be a group of sunlit shrubs or vegetation that has begun to take on autumn colors. This area becomes one of the main focal lights.

Below the yellows extends a dark stripe of violets, blacks and browns. This contrast creates depth and allows imagining different layers of vegetation. The bright areas seem to be in front or directly receiving light, while the dark areas remain protected. The landscape thus acquires a complex structure.

The slope in the background rises diagonally from the left toward the upper right. Its pinkish, reddish, orange and ochre tones stand out against the rest of the composition. The broad, ascending shape adds dynamism and guides the gaze to the higher area. The earth appears warm and mineral-rich.

Across the slope are distributed trees and shrubs of different sizes. Their canopies are formed by dark greens, blacks, grays and small yellow reflections. Some specimens grow isolated, while others form compact groups. The irregularity conveys a free nature adapted to difficult terrain.

In the central-upper area several small trees appear silhouetted against the sky. Their dark outlines clearly show the slope’s inclination. Although small, they provide scale and depth. They seem to withstand the wind and exposure of the elevated area.

To the right, the vegetation becomes more abundant and darker. A large mass of shrubs covers much of the slope and descends to the foreground. Among the deep greens there are reddish-brown, violets and yellow tones. The variety suggests different species and stages of growth.

Several tall, fine branches rise on the right side. Their brown, gray and reddish tones stand out against the orange of the earth. Some branches appear bare, while others retain small leaves. This combination reinforces the impression of a landscape between seasons.

The slope may be experiencing the transition from summer to autumn. The greens still have a strong presence, but yellows, oranges and reds begin to spread. The drier plants acquire earthy colors, while others remain fresh and dark. This coexistence makes the seasonal change the true protagonist.

The sky occupies a relatively narrow band, allowing the vegetation to dominate almost the entire scene. Its colors combine whites, grays, beiges and light blues. There is no visible sun, but the light is softly distributed. The atmosphere seems slightly overcast or humid.

The clouds do not have well-defined edges. They blend to form a clear surface that contrasts with the intensity of the slopes. This brightness allows the silhouettes of the taller trees to be distinguished. The sky provides calm in the face of the vegetation’s movement.

The composition has a strong upward direction. The path leads to the center, the slope rises to the right and the trees continue that movement toward the sky. These lines make the eye travel from bottom to top. The scene seems to grow in front of the spectator.

At the same time, the vegetal density creates a sense of depth that is hard to measure. Some plants appear very close and defined, while others merge into dark masses. This overlap suggests a wide space full of hidden corners. The landscape seems to continue far beyond the visible limits.

The chromatic range establishes a dialogue between warm and cool tones. The reds, oranges, yellows and ochres of the slope contrast with the greens, violets and blacks of the vegetation. The grays of the sky act as a balancing zone. This combination produces an intense and emotional atmosphere.

The yellows bring light and energy, while the greens express life and resilience. The reds and oranges suggest transformation, heat and maturity. The violets and blacks introduce depth and mystery. Each color contributes to representing the diversity of the natural environment.

The absence of human figures and buildings reinforces the wild character of the landscape. Only the path shows that someone has traversed the place. Yet the vegetation seems to be slowly reclaiming that space. Nature entirely dominates the scene.

The path can be interpreted as a symbol of exploration and discovery. Its course disappears among the bushes and does not reveal the destination. This uncertainty invites mental progress and imagining a hidden landscape. The path represents curiosity and the desire to venture into the unknown.

The ascending slope may symbolize effort and overcoming. Its slope and dense vegetation suggest difficult land, but full of life. Reaching the upper part would require passing through thickets, stones and slopes. The landscape makes difficulty a form of beauty.

The chromatic transition of the plants recalls the passing of time. Some leaves stay green, others become yellow, and others acquire deep reds. This variety shows that transformation does not occur uniformly. Each element follows its own pace within the natural cycle.

The scene awakens an intense sensory experience. One can imagine the sound of the wind among the branches, the feel of steps on the earth and the movement of the grasses. One can also sense the scent of dry vegetation and the coolness of the shaded areas. The landscape invites slow, intimate contemplation.

The work does not need to show a monumental mountain or a standout architecture to convey grandeur. Its strength lies in the richness of a seemingly simple terrain. Each shrub, each branch and every color change contribute to creating a living nature. The landscape celebrates the beauty of what often goes unnoticed.

In sum, this painting represents a path that enters among thick vegetation and ascends toward reddish slopes covered with trees, shrubs and plants in full seasonal transformation. The deep greens, bright yellows, oranges, violets and blacks build an intense landscape in which nature completely dominates the space. The path symbolizes exploration and discovery; the slope, effort and overcoming; and the changing colors, renewal and passage of time. The work invites you to imaginatively venture into a wild, silent and life-filled environment.