Miquel Torner de Semir (1938) - NO RESERVE - La dama

Pictura Galeria presents this magnificent work of art belonging to Miquel Torner de Semir, depicting a woman whose inner world appears populated by animals that symbolize her memories, emotions, instincts, and desires for protection. The painting stands out for its excellent technique and the high pictorial quality it conveys.

· Dimensions of the work: 27x22x1 cm.
· Oil on board hand-signed by the artist in the lower left corner, Miquel Torner de Semir.
· The piece is in good conservation condition.

The work comes from an exclusive private collection in Girona.

Important note: the included photographs are part of the description of the lot.

The artwork will be professionally packed by an IVEX expert (https://www.instagram.com/ivex.online/), using high-quality materials to ensure its protection. The price of shipping covers both the cost of professional packaging and the transport itself.
Shipping will be carried out by Correos or GLS with tracking. International shipping available.

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This painting presents an imaginary and deeply symbolic scene featuring the delicate profile of a woman, whose figure is surrounded by an extraordinary accumulation of animals, organic shapes and mysterious volumes. The young woman occupies the lower central area of the composition, looking serenely to the left, while above her head unfolds a fantastical universe that seems to emerge from her thoughts. The image combines the tranquility of portraiture with the vitality of a dreamed nature, creating an atmosphere in which reality, memory, imagination, and emotion blend to form a single vision.

The female face constitutes the main point of reference within the abundance of elements. Her profile is recognized by a clear forehead, a small straight nose, slightly colored lips, and a softly rounded chin. The features convey youth, delicacy, and serene beauty that does not require exaggerated gestures. The woman appears completely absorbed in what she observes, as if her attention were directed toward a place far beyond the visible limits.

The eye, large and dark, concentrates much of the emotional expression. Its lateral orientation suggests a vigilant, reflective, and slightly melancholic gaze. It does not seem to be contemplating a concrete object, but an inner image, a memory, or a possibility yet to be discovered. The fine, elevated brow reinforces that sense of quiet concentration, while the closed lips indicate the protagonist keeps her thoughts to herself.

The face is traversed by a delicate blend of whites, bluish grays, pinks, purples, and warm tones. A blue area appears on the forehead and around the temple, while a broad reddish stain lights the cheek. These colors do not disturb the serenity of the features, but allow imagining distinct emotions coexisting within the figure: blue may relate to introspection, red to vitality, and pink to sensitivity.

The cheek stands out especially for its warm luminosity. Red, orange, and pink nuances bring life to the face and contrast with the general paleness of the skin. This area seems to gather a contained emotion, like a blush born of shyness, illusion, or an intense memory. The color transforms the expression without changing it and makes the protagonist appear emotionally close.

The lips, small and carefully defined, introduce a pink accent to the lighter part of the face. They remain closed, but do not convey tension; rather a calm and contemplative disposition. One could imagine the woman about to pronounce a word or having just kept silent after telling a story. That ambiguity makes her expression open to numerous interpretations.

The ear is adorned with a small circular earring that adds elegance and simplicity. Around it, curved lines can be seen that could correspond to the hair gathered or to an ornamental structure integrated into the scene. This detail marks a transition between the human face and the animal world that begins to grow over the head. The protagonist is not simply accompanied by those creatures, but seems to be inseparable from them.

The long, stylized neck descends toward a broad lower area dominated by pinks, creams, grays, and soft violets. The shoulder curve provides stability to the composition and visually supports the multitude of figures located upstairs. The woman appears to wear a garment in warm colors that blends with the ambient, avoiding a rigid separation between body and background. Everything seems to belong to the same poetic matter.

Over the head of the protagonist rests a large animal figure in grayish and whitish tones. Its body has a broad, rounded volume and occupies a large part of the center of the image. Although its contours retain some ambiguity, it may recall a large bird, a small fantastical mammal, or a creature formed by the union of different species. This indefinition intensifies the imaginary character of the painting.

The central creature seems to settle naturally on the woman’s head, as if that were its habitual refuge. Its presence does not weigh down or cause discomfort; on the contrary, it conveys a peaceful and protective coexistence. The animal could represent a persistent thought, a cherished memory, or a primal part of the protagonist. Its closeness makes the portrait an image of union between human and natural world.

In the body of this figure, zones of gray, white, brown, and black are distinguishable. A shape resembling a wing extends to the right and contains delicate lines suggesting feathers. A small light circle also appears on the flank, as if it were a mark, a light, or a symbolic element. The combination of rounded forms and fine lines brings tenderness and movement.

Next to the main creature, other animal shapes partly hidden can be seen. Some seem to correspond to heads, snouts, ears, wings, or curled bodies. Not all are fully shown, which obliges the viewer to scan the image and mentally reconstruct each figure. This overlap turns the upper area into a shelter where different beings rest beside one another.

At the highest part, a large clear animal oriented to the right appears. Its silhouette resembles a bear, a calm-looking dog, or a fantastical creature with a sturdy body. The head protrudes toward the right edge, where a long snout and a small circular shape at the tip can be distinguished. Its attitude seems peaceful, as if watching over the surroundings from a high position.

The body of this upper animal is formed by white-gray, dark brown, and reddish tones. A broad brown area covers part of its back, giving volume. Near the head, small circular spots appear that could be interpreted as eyes, ornamental marks, or fragments of other superimposed figures. The creature seems to emerge from the darkness and advance slowly toward the light.

The position of the upper animal can be understood as an image of watchfulness and protection. From above, it dominates the whole composition and seems to guard both the woman and the other creatures. Its body forms a living roof over the scene. The protagonist thus remains surrounded by a fantastic community that seems to protect her during her inner journey.

In the lower left area, another animal head in beige and brown appears, very close to the woman’s face. Its snout faces the woman and seems to seek contact with her. This proximity conveys affection, trust, and an intimate relationship. The animal could be a companion, a childhood memory, or the manifestation of tenderness that the protagonist keeps deep inside.

The closeness between the human face and this small creature creates one of the most emotional moments of the composition. Their profiles almost touch, as if they were about to recognize each other with a glance or a caress. The woman does not turn her head toward the animal, but her serene expression suggests she knows its presence perfectly. Between them exists a silent communication.

The different creatures do not seem to fight for space or compete with each other. They all settle around the female figure forming a compact, protective, and surprisingly harmonious structure. Their bodies intertwine through curves, blotches, and contours that pass from one figure to another. The result resembles a great collective thought or an imaginary family born from memory.

The accumulation of animals on the head allows interpreting the scene as a representation of the mind. Each creature could correspond to an emotion, an instinct, a desire, or an experience. The larger beings would occupy the dominant thoughts, while the smaller and partially hidden shapes would represent more distant memories. The head of the protagonist becomes thus a inhabited territory.

This form can also be read as an allusion to protection. The animals surround the woman from different directions and create a barrier against the exterior. Some rest, others observe, and others seem to vigil. The protagonist remains tranquil because she is not truly alone: she carries with her a community of beings that accompany and shield her.

The dark background at the top intensifies the presence of the lighter figures. The blacks, deep browns, and violets form a nocturnal and mysterious atmosphere. On that darkness, the white and gray bodies gain greater luminosity. The scene seems to unfold between night and dream, in that moment when the images of the mind begin to come to life.

In contrast, the central and lower area contains clearer spaces dominated by blues, whites with bluish tints, and pink tones. This transition from the upper darkness to the lower clarity can symbolize the shift from mystery to consciousness. Thoughts are born in a deep, shadowy region but end up reflected on the protagonist’s face through colors and emotions.

Small blue accents provide freshness and depth. One appears on the woman’s forehead and another rises near the right side, among the bodies of the animals. Although they occupy small spaces, they draw strong attention and establish a visual connection. Blue may be associated with imagination, the spiritual world, calm, and freedom.

Red and orange tones appear at different levels. They are found on the protagonist’s shoulder, on her cheek, on certain areas of the animals, and in various fragments of the background. This repetition builds a warm current that runs through the composition. Red functions as a symbol of life, affection, energy, and emotional memory.

Greys and whites act as unifying elements. They are present in the woman’s face, in the bodies of the creatures, and in wide zones of the surrounding space. Thanks to them, the different figures seem to come from a single universe. The protagonist and the animals are not independent elements but different manifestations of one interior reality.

Blacks define the contours and provide depth. Some lines are soft and delicate, while others acquire greater intensity. These delimitations allow recognizing faces, snouts, wings, and profiles, but also leave open areas where shapes blend. The image thus maintains a balance between clarity and mystery.

The composition is organized by a strong vertical direction. The woman’s shoulder occupies the base, the face rises toward the center, and the animals continue the movement to reach the top. This structure makes the female figure appear to support a complete world. The gaze rises from one being to another, discovering new forms at each level.

At the same time, there is a horizontal movement created by the orientation of the profiles. The woman looks to the left, some animals head to the right, and others remain oriented toward the center. These opposite directions add dynamism and suggest the coexistence of different thoughts. Each figure seems to attend to a different reality.

The protagonist can be interpreted as a mediator between the human world and the animal world. Her face belongs to a recognizable reality, but her head becomes the place where impossible creatures dwell. She does not seem surprised by that presence, indicating that she is a natural part of her identity. Her serenity makes the extraordinary seem ordinary.

The painting can also speak of the relationship between reason and instinct. The controlled expression of the woman contrasts with the animal abundance that rises over her. Yet there is no conflict between these aspects. The conscious mind and the instinctive nature appear united, showing that human identity is formed by both ordered thoughts and deep emotions.

The animals may symbolize different qualities. The great being at the top could represent strength and protection; the winged creature, freedom and imagination; and the small animal near the face, tenderness and fidelity. Together they build an emotional portrait of the protagonist. Rather than describing her with objects or words, the scene reveals her personality through living presences.

The work invites slow contemplation because many figures remain hidden inside others. A shape that initially seems like a stain can later become an eye, a snout, or a wing. This capacity for transformation makes the image change with the time of observation. Each new gaze allows discovering a different relationship.

The overall atmosphere is silent, but not motionless. The bodies of the animals seem to breathe, settle, and move very slowly. One can imagine the stroke of the wings, the calm breathing of the creatures, and the murmur of the woman’s thoughts. Everything remains suspended in a moment before awakening.

The protagonist’s expression conveys a gentle melancholy. Her distant gaze and closed lips may suggest remembering something lost or waiting for an answer. However, the presence of the animals prevents the scene from feeling sad. They provide company, protection, and a sense of hope.

The image can relate to childhood and the ability to preserve fantasy. The creatures seem to come from stories, dreams, or childhood memories, yet they accompany an already adult figure. This suggests that imagination does not vanish with time but remains hidden within us and continues to influence how we understand the world.

It can also be interpreted as a homage to sensitivity toward animals. The woman is not above them or separated from nature. On the contrary, she shares their space and seems to offer them shelter. The union of bodies and forms conveys respect, closeness, and a coexistence based on trust.

The absence of a concrete setting favors symbolic interpretation. There is no landscape, room, or horizon that would situate the scene in a specific place. Everything occurs in a mental and emotional space. The background functions as an extension of the imagination, capable of containing simultaneously darkness, light, memories, and fantastic creatures.

The beauty of the painting arises from the combination of delicacy and strangeness. The female face is serene and recognizable, while the world around it challenges any literal explanation. That coexistence arouses curiosity without causing unease. The mysterious appears as something protective, close, and full of tenderness.

In sum, this painting portrays a woman in profile whose inner world transforms into an extraordinary community of real and imaginary animals that accumulate on her head and surround her with closeness. Her serene gaze, the intertwined bodies, the soft colors, and the intense contrasts build a scene of introspection, fantasy, and protection. The creatures may symbolize memories, emotions, instincts, and affectionate bonds that accompany the protagonist, turning the portrait into a celebration of imagination, sensitivity, and the deep connection between human beings and nature.